EFFECTS OF REST INTERVAL ON ISOKINETIC STRENGTH AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE AFTER SHORT-TERM HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING

Objectives-The ability to maximally generate active muscle tension dur ing resistance training has been established to be a primary determina nt for strength development. The influence of intrasession rest interv als may have a profound effect on strength gains subsequent to short t erm high intensity training. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rest interval on strength and functional performance af ter four weeks of isokinetic training. Methods-Fifteen healthy college aged individuals were randomly assigned to either a short rest interv al group (group 1, n = 8) or a long rest interval group (group 2, n = 7). Subjects were evaluated for quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic st rength at 60 (five repetitions) and 180 (30 repetitions) degrees/secon d and functional performance with the single leg hop for distance test . One leg of each subject was randomly assigned to a four week, three days/week isokinetic strength training programme for concentric knee e xtension and flexion performed at 90 degrees/second. Subjects in group I received a 40 second rest interval in between exercise sets, wherea s subjects in group 2 received a 160 second rest period. Results-A two factor analysis of variance for the pre-test-post-test gain scores (% ) showed significantly greater improvements for isokinetic hamstring t otal work and average power at 180 degrees/second for the trained limb of subjects in group 2 than their contralateral non-trained Limb and the subjects in group 1. Significantly greater improvements for the si ngle leg hop for distance were also found for the trained limbs of sub jects in both groups as compared with the non-trained limbs. Conclusio ns-The findings indicate that a relatively longer intrasession rest pe riod resulted in a greater improvement in hamstring muscle strength du ring short term high intensity training.