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Tibana, RA, Prestes, J, da Cunha Nascimento, D, Martins, OV, de Santana, FS, and Balsamo, S. Higher muscle performance in adolescents compared with adults after a resistance training session with different rest intervals. J Strength Cond Res 26(4): 1027-1032, 2012-The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of 3 different rest intervals between sets on the total training volume, number of repetitions, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and resistance to fatigue in adolescents and adults during a resistance training session in the isoinertial chest press exercise. Fifteen male adolescents (15.2 /- 1.2 years; 20.7 /- 2.0 kg[middle dot]m-2; Tanner -4; 61.5 /- 8.9, 10 repetition maximum [RM]) and 15 adults (22.2 /- 2.7 years; 23.3 /- 2.0 kg[middle dot]m-2; Tanner -5; 84.3 /- 13.5, 10RM) without previous experience with resistance training participated in the study. After 10RM test-retest on 3 different occasions, participants were randomly assigned to a resistance training protocol with 30-, 60-, and 120-second rest interval between sets. The protocol consisted of 3 sets with 10RM. In all studied variables, with exception to total training volume and RPE, adolescents presented superior results as compared with adults (p < 0.001). On the other hand, both adults and adolescents exhibited a higher resistance to fatigue, total training volume, and number of repetitions with a longer rest interval (120 > 60 > 30 seconds) (p < 0.01). Thus, these results indicate that adolescents present a higher recovery capacity between sets in a resistance training session than adults and a longer rest interval results in a higher number of repetitions completed, total training volume, and resistance to fatigue.

Copyright (C) 2012 by the National Strength & Conditioning Association.