Rushall notes (1995).

Muscle Fatigue and Recovery

Muscle fatigue is a condition in which the work capacity of muscle is decreased. Recovery is the condition where it increases again.

With each muscle contraction, the biochemical equilibrium is disturbed. If only aerobic work is performed, a reduction in the energy reserves of ATP occurs only for a brief moment during the contraction. This is completely restored during recovery and there is no residual fatigue. Fatigue and recovery should counterbalance each other in pure aerobic work.

If either complete or partial anaerobic work is performed, fatigue cannot be balanced by recovery. Consequently, residual fatigue accumulates and is only removed after exercise with recovery/rest.

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