International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Trainer Practice Exam

What is the recommended rest time between sets to maximize serum testosterone and growth hormone levels?

1. No more than one minute

2. Two to three minutes

3. Five minutes

4. One to two hours

The correct answer is: No more than one minute

The recommended rest time between sets to maximize serum testosterone and growth hormone levels is typically two to three minutes. This duration allows for sufficient recovery for the muscles and the central nervous system, while also supporting hormonal responses necessary for muscle growth and strength gains. Short rest periods, such as one minute, may be suitable for different training goals, such as endurance or circuit training, but they might not optimize the hormonal response desired for maximizing testosterone and growth hormone levels. It is during the longer rest periods of two to three minutes that the body can adequately recover, thus facilitating a more substantial hormonal response during subsequent sets. In contrast, rest periods extending to five minutes or more can sometimes be excessive, as they may lead to a cooling down of the muscle and could potentially diminish the overall intensity of the workout. Longer rest times like one to two hours are impractical in typical workout contexts and would not maintain the elevated hormonal levels that are best achieved with moderately short and focused rest intervals.