In a study on the effects of different between sets rest intervals, scientists determined that women can perform significantly more reps than men regardless of the amount of time taken between sets. The study, published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, analyzed 3 sets of up to 10 reps with resistance set at 75% of one rep max (1RM), and recorded results for 1, 2 and 3 minute rest intervals.
With one minute of rest, the women averaged 27 reps for all 3 sets while the men could only put up 21. At a rest interval of 2 minutes, the average woman did 29 reps compared to the average man's 24. Given 3 minutes of rest between sets, the average for women was once again 29 reps with the men posting just 25. The differences might be explained by the fact that rate of velocity and power declined quicker for men than women as the lifting progressed.
