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Effect of a rest-pause vs. traditional squat on electromyography and lifting volume in trained women

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Rest-pause (4 s unloaded rest between repetitions) single session training effects on lifting volume, and muscle activity via electromyography (EMG) are currently vague in the literature and can benefit strength and conditioning professionals for resistance training program design. This study compared differences in volume lifted and muscle activity between a rest-pause vs. traditional protocol.

Methods

Trained females (N = 13) completed both a rest-pause and traditional squat protocol consisting of four sets to movement failure at 80% pretest 1 repetition maximum load with 2-min rest between sets. Total volume and muscle activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus were measured on both training days. Differences in muscle activity were viewed as a percent change (%∆).

Results

A paired samples t test indicated total volume lifted was higher in the rest-pause compared to the traditional protocol (2532 vs. 2036 kg; p < .05). Furthermore, paired samples t tests showed muscle activity %∆ of the gluteus maximus was greater in the traditional protocol compared to the rest-pause protocol (p < .05). No other muscle activity differences were observed in the remaining muscles.

Conclusions

The rest-pause allows for greater volume lifted via increased repetitions compared to a traditional protocol in trained women. The rest-pause method may be superior to a traditional method of training during a hypertrophy mesocycle, where a primary focus is total volume lifted. Furthermore, %∆ muscle activity in the GM will be greater while performing a traditional back squat protocol in comparison to a rest-pause.

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Abbreviations

ATP–PCr:

Adenosine triphosphate–phosphocreatine

PCr:

Creatine phosphate

EMG:

Electromyography

RM:

Repetition maximum

%∆:

Percent change

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Human Performance, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105-1096, USA

    John A. Korak

  2. School of Health Studies, University of Memphis, 3720 Alumni Ave, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA

    Max R. Paquette

  3. Department of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University, 1301 E Main St, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA

    Dana K. Fuller

  4. Department of Health and Human Performance, Middle Tennessee State University, 1301 E Main St, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA

    Jennifer L. Caputo & John M. Coons

Authors
  1. John A. Korak
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  2. Max R. Paquette
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  3. Dana K. Fuller
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  4. Jennifer L. Caputo
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  5. John M. Coons
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Contributions

JAK is the lead author on this manuscript. MRP, JLC, and JMC are content specialist and members of the lead authors’ dissertation committee. DF is the statistician, and a member of the lead authors’ dissertation committee.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John A. Korak.

Additional information

Communicated by Peter Krustrup.

Research conducted at the Exercise Science Research Laboratory at Middle Tennessee State University.

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Korak, J.A., Paquette, M.R., Fuller, D.K. et al. Effect of a rest-pause vs. traditional squat on electromyography and lifting volume in trained women. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 1309–1314 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3863-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3863-6

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