title: Acute neuromuscular and fatigue responses to the rest-pause method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare muscle recruitment, maximal force, and rate of force development changes following different resistance exercise protocols with a constant volume-load.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within-subjects randomized crossover trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen (n=14) resistance trained male participants completed three different resistance exercise protocols involving 20 squat repetitions, prescribed at 80% of 1-repetition-maximum. Protocol A consisted of 5 sets of 4 repetitions with 3 min inter-set rest intervals, protocol B was 5 sets of 4 repetitions with 20 s inter-set rest intervals, and the rest-pause method was an initial set to failure with subsequent sets performed with a 20 s inter-set rest interval. Maximal squat isometric force output and rate of force development (RFD) were measured before, immediately upon completion (IP), and 5 min (5P) following each protocol. Muscle activity from 6 different thigh and hip muscles was measured with surface electromyography (EMG) at each time point, and during every squat repetition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants completed the rest-pause method in 2.1±0.4 sets, with a total protocol duration of 103 s compared to 140 s and 780 s for protocols B and A, respectively. All protocols elicited similar decreases (p<0.05) in maximal force and RFD at IP, with full recovery at 5P. Increased motor unit recruitment was observed during the rest-pause method compared to both protocols A and B for all muscles measured (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a result of the increased EMG during exercise and no greater post-exercise fatigue, it was concluded that the rest-pause method may be an efficacious training method for resistance-trained individuals.
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Australia. p.marshall@uws.edu.au
authors.forename: Paul W M
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Wrightson
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Siegler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011999:Recruitment, Neurophysiological / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D013848:Thigh / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult