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Progressive Resistance Exercise
Progressive resistance exercise (PRE) is a method of increasing the ability of muscles
to generate force. The principles of PRE for increasing force production in muscles have
remained unchanged for almost 60 years. These principles are (1) to perform a small number
of repetitions until fatigued, (2) to allow suffi cient rest between exercises for recovery, and
(3) to increase the resistance as the ability to generate force increases. Traditionally, PRE
has been used by young, healthy adults to improve athletic performance.
A student decided to incorporate PRE into his exercise program. He did not know
how to determine when he had allowed suffi cient rest between exercises for recovery.
He hypothesized that waiting for his pulse to return to normal would probably be a good
indication.
80 Explain why allowing his pulse rate to return to normal might be a good indication that he had waited long
enough for recovery.
What is Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— If his pulse rate were normal, it would indicate that the muscles have removed wastes and
have enough energy available to resume exercising.
— Normal pulse rate is the same as resting pulse rate.
— When his pulse rate returns to normal, it indicates that there is no longer a need for more
oxygen/excretion of excess carbon dioxide.
— This shows that the body has returned to a homeostatic balance.