Effect of Rest Interval on Neuromuscular and Metabolic Responses Between Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different rest intervals and contraction velocities on muscle recovery following resistance exercise. 18 children (11.1 ± 0.52 yrs) and 19 adolescents (15.8 ± 0.49 yrs) performed three sets of 10 isokinetic repetitions at 60°/s and 180°/s. The work-to-rest ratio (W/R) was 1:2 and 1:4 for 60°/s, and 1:6 and 1:12 for 180°/s. ANOVA revealed that children demonstrated no significant decline in PT from the first to third set with any rest interval, but there was a significant (p < .05) decline for adolescents when a W/R of 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6 were used. Adolescents demonstrated significantly greater blood lactate (BLa) concentrations than children after three sets of resistance exercise. The present study indicates that adolescents may require longer rest intervals to recover full PT when compared with children.