EFFECT OF RECOVERY DURATION ON THE FORCE-VELOCITY RELATIONSHIP

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different Recov ery Duration (RD) between each sprint (30 s, 1 min, 3 min, 5 min, 10 m in and 24 h) during the force-velocity test and to analyse associated anaerobic parameters such as maximal anaerobic power and blood lactate concentrations. Twelve male physical education students aged from 18 to 26 years took part in this study. Maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) wa s not statistically different whatever the recovery duration (from 885 to 938 watts, for RD 30 s to RD 24 h, respectively). This was associa ted with a tendency during the longer RD tests for optimal velocity to decrease (p = ns) while optimal force increased (p < 0.05). Blood lac tate concentrations were regularly increased from 1.7 to a 9 mmol x l( -1) plateau at sprint 4 for RD tests < 10 min and were quite stable fr om the second sprint with an associated value from 2.2 to 4.7 mmol x l (-1) for RD 10 min and RD 24 h. In spite of statistically different va lues for [L]s between the tests, the power developed for each sprint r emained unchanged. These data indicate that the attainment of maximal power seems independent from the recovery duration (> 10s) and the pre -blood lactate values observed between each sprint during the force-ve locity test. The way to reach Pmax was different between the tests. Di fferent partition of energetic pathways are suggested. In conclusion, the force-velocity test could be performed with a shorter and the arbi trary five minutes recovery duration.