COMPARISON BETWEEN MAXIMAL AND SUBMAXIMAL RESISTANCE EXERCISE WITH DIFFERENT REST INTERVALS BETWEEN SETS ON TOTAL TESTOSTERONE AND CORTISOL LEVELS IN YOUNG TRAINED INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

The aim of this research was to verify the influence of maximal and submaximal resistance exercises with different rest intervals between sets on total testosterone and cortisol levels in young trained individuals. Six young trained people (22±3,3 years) performed 4 resistance training sessions with various intensities and rest intervals between sets (RI). The sessions were as follows: (sub60): 3x10 reps, 70% of 10RM, RI 60sec.; (max60): 3x8-12 reps, 95% 10RM, RI 60sec; (sub180): 3x10 reps, 70% 10RM, RI 180sec; (max180): 3x8-12 reps, 95% 10RM, RI 180sec. The exercises performed were: bench press, leg press, lat pulldown and leg extension. Blood samples were collected ten minutes before and right after the training sessions in order to determine the total testosterone and cortisol levels. An increase in the total testosterone level was found in sub60 (17±10%; p=0,013), sub180 (20±12%; p=0,005) and max60 (20±14%; p=0,014). As for cortisol, a reduction was noticed only in sub180 (-38±10%; p=0,001). Increases at the testosterone/cortisol ratio were found at sub60 (p=0,044) and sub180 (p=0,003). The total testosterone values were higher at sub60 compared to sub180 (p=0,039) and max180 (p=0,048) at POS time. The resistance training session involving submaximal exercises and long rest intervals between sets (sub180) was effective in raising total testosterone and reducing cortisol levels in young trained people, resulting in a high testosterone/cortisol ratio and favoring a better anabolic environment.