REST PERIODS AND POWER LEVELS OF THE BACK SQUAT

Abstract

PURPOSE The effects of three different rest periods [three minute rest length (Three Minute), recovery heart rate of 105 beats per minute (Heart Rate), and self perceived readiness (Perceived)] on the power levels of the back squat were studied. METHODS Twelve football players from a Division III mid-western university with at least one year of experience back squatting were subjects for this research. Each of the three rest periods was administered during a separate test session. During each test session, subjects performed six sets of the back squat using intensities of 75%, 80%, 85%, 75%, 80%, and 85% of their individual one-repetition maximum. Number of repetitions and termination of each set were determined when a repetition dropped below 90% of the best average power repetition of the set. Average power and average velocity were measured for each squat repetition using a Tendo Fitrodyne L.E.D. Measuring Unit (Trencin, Slovak Republic). Heart rates were measured before and after each set using a Polar Vantage XL Heart Rate Monitor (Port Washington, NY). RESULTS No significant differences were observed in either average power or total average power using any of the three rest periods. The average time between each of the Heart Rate sets (124+/-49 sec) was significantly less than between the Three Minute Sets (180+/-0 sec) and Perceived sets (201+/-70 sec). CONCLUSION These results indicate that there may be a training advantage to using the Heart Rate method for rest periods when performing the back squat at 75–85% of the individual one-repetition maximum.