Validity and Reliability of Perceived Recovery for Monitoring Neuromuscular Status after a Single Body Weight High-Intensity Interval Training Session in Physically Active Men

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the validity and reliability of Perceived Recovery Status Scale (PRS) for monitoring neuromuscular status after a single bodyweight high-intensity interval training (HIIT-BW) session. Nineteen physically active men (24.37 ± 3.96 years; 24.44 ± 2.79 kg/m²) completed two identical sessions, separated by 7-14 days. The protocol consisted of 12 all-out sets, with 60 seconds of passive recovery between sets. Countermovement jump (CMJ), PRS, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were assessed pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Repeated-measures ANOVA tested changes over time, and Spearman correlation and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) assessed PRS validity and reliability. CMJ height and impulse decreased immediately and up to 48 hours (p < 0.05) while peak power returned to baseline within 24 hours (p > 0.05). The PRS demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC:0.934; CI:0.901-0.956), and strong correlation with the NPRS (r = −0.798; p < 0.05), percentage change in jump height (r = −0.647; p < 0.05), and impulse (r = −0.611; p < 0.05). It is concluded that following a single HIIT-BW session, CMJ performance and perceptual scales return to baseline between 48 and 72 hours of recovery. The PRS emerge as a valid and reliable instrument, for monitoring and individualizing recovery following a single HIIT-BW session.