The Autoregulation Rest-Redistribution Training Method Mitigates Sex Differences in Neuromuscular and Perceived Fatigue During Resistance Training

Purpose: : To examine the sex differences in performance and perceived fatigue during resistance training prescribed using traditional (TRA) and autoregulation rest -redistribution training (ARRT) approaches. Methods: : Twelve resistance -trained men and 12 women completed 2 sessions including the bench -press exercise matched for load (75% of 1 -repetition maximum), volume (24 repetitions), and total rest (240 s). Sessions were performed in a counterbalanced randomized design with TRA consisting of 3 sets of 8 repetitions with 120 -second interset rest and ARRT employing a personalized combination of clusters, repetitions per cluster, and between -clusters rest regulated with a 20% velocity -loss threshold. The effects of TRA and ARRT on velocity loss, unilateral isometric peak force, and rating of fatigue (ROF) were compared between sexes. Results: : The velocity loss was generally lower during ARRT compared with TRA (-0.47% - 0.47% [0.11%]), with velocity loss being mitigated by ARRT to a greater extent among males compared with females (-0.37% - 0.37% [0.15%]). A smaller unilateral isometric peak force decline was observed after ARRT than TRA among males compared with females (-38.4 - 38.4 [8.4] N). Lower ROF after ARRT than TRA was found among males compared to females (-1.97 - 1.97 [0.55] AU). Additionally, males reported greater ROF than females across both conditions (1.92 [0.53] AU), and ARRT resulted in lower ROF than TRA overall (-0.83 - 0.83 [0.39] AU). Conclusions: : The ARRT approach resulted in decreased velocity loss, peak force impairment, and ROF compared with TRA in both sexes. However, male subjects exhibited more pronounced acute within -session benefits fi ts from the ARRT method.