You will experience less of a burning sensation on basic exercises like squats or leg presses through with complete extension as compared to leg extensions. It is acceptable to lock out the knee between reps as long as your joint is healthy, and can adapt. Workload is momentarily shifted from the muscle to the supporting skeletal structure. A more static contraction occludes blood flow and challanges more muscular endurance. Take a little bit more rest between sets on the larger muscle groups.
Studies demonstrate faster recover with light muscular activity between sets.
Consider walking around or swinging your arms between sets. In any situation, they will adapt as you have guessed. If you feel undue muscular fatigue persists, you could consider increasing weight after performing 10 reps instead of 12 reps. This should hasten recovery between sprint bouts. If the seat is to low, or to close to the pedals, you will experience greater muscular fatigue due to this mechanical disadvantage.