Final answer:
A short rest period after muscle fatigue does not guarantee that the muscle fiber will contract again with the same duration and strength as before due to the depletion of ATP and accumulation of metabolic by-products. This statement is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
A short rest period after a muscle fiber experiences fatigue will allow that muscle fiber to contract again equally as long as it did before the fatigue. After a muscle fiber becomes fatigued due to the depletion of ATP, a short rest period may not allow it to contract again with the same duration and strength as before the fatigue. It is crucial to understand that muscle fatigue happens when there's a lack of ATP, which is necessary for muscle contraction and relaxation. Additionally, during fatigue, other metabolic by-products such as lactic acid can accumulate, which inhibits muscle contraction. Although a rest period can help in resynthesizing ATP and clearing some of the by-products, the muscle fiber may not immediately regain its full capacity to contract as intensely as before until full recovery occurs.