A Comparison of the Length of Two Distinct Rest Periods in Interval Training as Methods of Increasing Cardio-respiratory Efficiency

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of holding the work load constant and changing the rest periods between work intervals, upon the improvement of cardio respiratory efficiency of track men. During the spring semester of the 1965-66 school year, 27 freshmen students enrolled in the basic instruction program at South Dakota State University, who had indicated by questionnaire they had lettered in track in high school, volunteered for the program. The subjects were randomly placed into two experimental groups and one control group. After the completion of the testing period and statistical procedure employed, the study indicated the methods of training used in this experiment improved cardio-respiratory efficiency of the experimental groups significantly in comparison to the control group. The study also indicated that the unknown rest period group seems to be superior to the three minute rest period group in the recovery of the heart after exercise. (see more in text