Abstract
We compared the acute effects of parallel back squat performed from different resistance
training configurations on neuromuscular performance. Twenty-eight young adults underwent
4 experimental conditions: inter-repetition rest, traditional, traditional to failure,
and rest-pause in the parallel back squat in a randomized, counterbalanced, and cross-over
design. The neuromuscular performance was assessed through peak torque of knee extensors
and flexors at two angular velocities (90 and 120 º/s) in three moments (before, post,
and post-30 min). The peak torque of the knee extensors and flexors at 90 and 120 º/s
decreased immediately after training for traditional, traditional to failure, and
rest-pause (–8.1% to –17.7%, P<0.001). A greater reduction in the extensor peak torque was found at 120 º/s (P<0.05) in the rest-pause (–17.7%) when compared to traditional (–10.8%). The peak
torque returned to baseline values only at post-30 min for the traditional configuration
for the knee flexion action at 120 º/s. The peak torque remained similar for the muscular
actions and angular velocities for the inter-repetition rest (P>0.05). Our results suggest the inter-repetition rest configuration seems to be a
more appropriate strategy for maintaining the lower limb neuromuscular performance
after a resistance training session.
Key words
peak torque - neuromuscular fatigue - isokinetic strength - strength training - resistance
training systems - force
