Strength recovery patterns following isometric and isotonic exercise.

31 male Ss performed 2 bouts of hand-gripping exercise on a hand ergograph. The first exercise consisted of isotonic contractions performed for 3 min. at the rate of 30/min. The second bout was an isometric contraction held maximally until strength was depressed to the level established in the isotonic exercise. Recovery in both conditions was followed for 10 min., during which maximal strength tests were performed every 60 sec. The only significant difference observed during recovery was at the end of the first min. at which time the strength level following isotonic exercise was higher than that after the isometric bout Mathematical differences were found in the recovery curve constants after the first min, the recovery rate being approximately 35% faster following isometric exercise.