Minimum rest period for strength recovery during a common isokinetic testing protocol.
OBJECTIVE
The intent of this investigation was to determine the minimal time for a between sets rest period during a common isokinetic knee extension strength-testing protocol. Based on a review of the literature, a set was considered a group of four maximal coupled contractions at a specific velocity.


METHODS
Eleven normal, healthy college-age men underwent unilateral knee extension testing to determine their individual isokinetic peak torque at 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 degrees.s-1. Velocities were administered in ascending order. Between sets, rest periods of 15, 60, 180, and 300 s were assigned to subjects in a counterbalanced fashion.


RESULTS
There were no differences in peak torque at the beginning velocity of 60 degrees.s-1 among any of the rest periods. At 120 degrees.s-1, peak torque production during the 15-s rest period trial was similar to 60 s but lower than 180 and 300 s. Peak torques at 180, 240, and 300 degrees.s-1 produced during the 15-s rest period test were significantly lower than measured torques at the same velocities during the 60, 180, and 300-s rest period tests (P < 0.05). There were no differences in peak torque production between the 60, 180, and 300-s rest period tests.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that during a common isokinetic strength testing protocol a between set rest period of at least 60 s is sufficient for recovery before the next test set.
Parcell
Allen C
AC
Human Performance Research Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. allen_parcell@byu.edu
Sawyer
Robert D
RD
Tricoli
Valmor A
VA
Chinevere
Troy D
TD
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D013995:Time; D019415:Torque