The effect of selected rest intervals on total work volume and blood lactate levels during high intensity elbow flexion exercise at a fixed relative resistance.

Abstract

A group of male subjects (N = 8) were used to examine the effects of two selected rest intervals on total work volume and blood lactate during a maximal effort elbow flexion resistance exercise performed at a fixed relative resistance (70% IRM). The rest intervals were set at 30 seconds (R$\sb{30}$) and 180 seconds (R$\sb{180}$) and were based on the half and full recovery times respectively of the high energy creatine phosphate (CP) system. The exercise continued until a computerized light sensor system detected a movement speed decrease to a pre-determined level of fatigue. R$\sb{180}$ resulted in a significantly greater volume of work (247%) achieved without a statistically significant increase in blood lactate (10%) compared to R$\sb{30}$. It was concluded that a rest interval between repeats of elbow flexion exercise of 180 seconds versus 30 seconds significantly increased the ability to do work without a significant increase in the contribution of the anaerobic lactic system. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)