Pain influences reps in reserve (RIR) judgments by affecting how individuals perceive their remaining capacity to perform repetitions during resistance training. When experiencing pain, people tend to underestimate their ability to complete more reps, leading to lower RIR estimates. This happens because pain acts as a psychological and physiological signal that can alter effort perception and decision-making during exercise.
Pain serves as a warning system that signals potential tissue damage or fatigue, which can cause the brain to limit exertion to protect the body. As a result, when lifters feel pain during a set, they may judge that they have fewer reps left in reserve than they actually do. This conservative estimate is a protective mechanism to avoid injury or excessive fatigue. The discomfort from pain can increase perceived effort, making the exercise feel harder and reducing confidence in continuing the set.
Additionally, pain processing involves rapid brain responses that influence emotional and cognitive evaluations. Studies show that the brain processes pain signals quickly and integrates them with emotional judgments, which can heighten the sense of threat or discomfort during exercise. This heightened awareness of pain can bias RIR judgments toward stopping earlier than necessary.
In summary, pain impacts reps in reserve judgments by increasing perceived effort and threat, leading to more cautious estimates of remaining repetitions. This interaction between physical sensation and cognitive appraisal helps explain why pain can reduce performance and influence training decisions.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12589795/
https://studyfinds.org/heres-why-you-wince-at-others-pain/
https://smart.dhgate.com/why-do-we-feel-pain-understanding-the-science-behind-pain-2/
