Introduction PERCEIVED EXERTION DURING DIFFERENT SET CONFIGURATIONS IN BENCH PRESS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AND POWER OUTPUT Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of A Coruña Mayo X, Iglesias-Soler E, Carballeira E, Sánchez-Otero T, Castro-Gacio X Methods Results Discussion 9 healthy subjects (24.0±1.5 y; 173±7 cm; 67.6±9.2 kg) performed 5 sets to failure with the load of 10RM and with 180 seconds between sets (failure session, FS). On separate days in a counterbalanced order, subjects performed the same volume but with the repetitions clustered in groups of 5 (i.e. 5[10]; Sánchez-Medina et al., 2011) (5S) or with rests between each repetition (1S). The total rest of the FS, 720 seconds, was distributed between each group of 5 repetitions or each repetition. OMNI-RES with memory anchoring procedures for the active muscles was obtained at the end of each set or coincident repetition. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured at the same time than OMNI-RES and Power output (PO) was recorded for each repetition. Statistical analysis was performed with R version 2.15.2. FriedŵaŶ’s test with Friedman post-hoc analysis was realized to compare OMNI-RES. Mean BP and PO were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA followed by post-hoc Bonferroni tests. OMNI-RES is a newly scale developed specifically to resistance exercise, and different studies have demostrated that OMNI- RES is able to distinguish among protocols with different volumes and intensities (Lagally & Robertson, 2006). However, differences in the set design were not largely studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences between three different protocols with the same total volume and intensity, but with different set configuration. OMNI-RES could be used to monitor sessions with different set configuration. In addition, correlations between OMNI-RES and BP suggest that perceived exertion could be used to control BP responses in weight exercise. Table 1. Mean values of the variables in the different sessions. (Mean ± SD). Variable FS 5S 1S P OMNI-RES 8.44±1.19 6.67±0.85 ** 6.22±1.34 ** 0.002 SBP (mmHg) 136.33±14.43 123.32±12.11 + 125.22±9.93 ++ 0.013 PO (W) 129±87 179±97 ** 176±37 ** 0.001 + Tendency, 5S vs. FS (p=0.077). ++ Tendency, 1S vs. FS (p=0.093). **Significant difference vs. FS (p≤0.01). Differences in mean values are summarized in Table 1. OMNI- RES at equal work done respect to the FS is compared in Figure 1. Correlations between OMNI-RES and Systolic Blood Pressure were observed for FS and 1S (Figure 2). Figure 1. Comparison of OMNI-RES at equal work done respect to FS (Mean ± SD). Figure 2. Correlations observed between OMNI-RES and SBP for FS and 1S. References Lagally KM & Robertson RJ (2006) J Strength Cond Res, 20(2), 252-6. Sánchez-Medina L & González-Badillo JJ (2011). Med Sci Sports Exerc, 43(9), 1725-34. julian.mayo@udc.es * Significant difference vs. FS (p<0.05). ** Significant difference vs. FS (p<0.01). FS 1S