Effect of rest interval length on the volume completed during upper body resistance exercise

The purpose of the current study was to compare the workoutvolume (sets x resistance x repetitions per set) completed duringtwo upper body resistance exercise sessions that incorporated 1minute versus 3 minute rest intervals between sets and exercises.twelve trained men completed two experimental sessions thatconsisted of 5 upper body exercises (i.e. barbell bench press,incline barbell bench press, pec deck flye, barbell lying tricepsextension, triceps pushdown) performed for three sets with an 8-rm load. the two experimental sessions differed only in thelength of the rest interval between sets and exercises; one sessionwith a 1-minute and the other session with a 3-minute restinterval. the results demonstrated that for each exercise, significantlygreater workout volume was completed when resting 3minutes between sets and exercises (p < 0.05). these resultsindicate that during a resistance exercise session, if sufficienttime is available, resting 3 minutes between sets and exercisesallows greater workout volume for the upper body exercisesexamined.