Evaluation of physiological responses during recovery following three resistance exercise programs

The present study was conducted to examine (a) whether there is an association between maximal oxygen uptake (V̇_O2max) and reduction in postexercise heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations ([La]) following resistance exercise and (b) how intensity and Volume of resistance exercise affect postexercise V̇_O2. Eleven regularly weight-trained males (20.8 ± 1.3 years; 96.2 ± 14.4 kg, 182.4 ± 7.3 cm) underwent 4 sets of squat exercise on 3 separate occasions that differed in both exercise intensity and volume. During each testing session, subjects performed either 15 repetitions·set^-1 at 60% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (L), 10 repetitions·set^-1 at 75% of 1RM (M), or 4 repetitions·set^-1 at 90% of 1RM (H). During each exercise, V̇_O2 and HR were measured before (PRE), immediately post (IP), and at 10 (10P), 20 (20P) 30 (30P), and 40 (40P) minutes postexercise. The [La] was measured at PRE, IP, 20P, and 40P. Decrease in HR (ΔHR) was determined by subtracting HR at 10P from that at IP, whereas decrease in [La] (Δ[La]) was computed by subtracting [La] at 20P from that at IP. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between V̇_O2max and ΔHR in all exercise conditions. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was also found between V̇_O2max and Δ[La] in L and M but not in H. The V̇_O2 was higher (p < 0.05) during M than H at IP and 10P, while no difference was seen between L and M and between L and H. These results indicate that those with greater aerobic capacity tend to have a greater reduction in HR and [La] during recovery from resistance exercise. In addition, an exercise routine performed at low to moderate intensity coupled with a moderate to high exercise volume is most effective in maximizing caloric expenditure following resistance exercise.