Abstract
Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a phenomenon which can improve force performance executed after a previous conditioning activity. PAP is usually evoked through heavy resistance, but many new methods are being suggested that acutely improve performance in post-activation potentiation protocols. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of simultaneous application of Smith machine back squats (BS) with electromyostimulation (EMS) on sprint performance. Sixteen male (age = 22.9 ± 2.3 years, body mass = 79.9 ± 13.8 kg, BS one-repetition maximum (1 RM) = 120.5 ± 17.3) amateur football and rugby players volunteered for this study. Participants randomly performed PAP protocols (CON = no load, BS = 3 × 85% of 1 RM BS, EMS = 3 × weightless squat with electric current and BS + EMS = 3 × 85% 1 RM BS with electric current) on four different days with at least 48 h intervals. Participants rested passively for 7 min after preloads and performed the 30 m sprint test. Sprint times for 10 and 30 m were recorded for each condition. As a result, no significant difference was found in the 10 m (p = 0.13) and 30 m (p = 0.10) sprint performance between the preload protocols. The effect size was found to be trivial (ηp2: 0.13 for 10 m; ηp2: 0.11 for 30 m). In individual results, the 10 m sprint performance of five participants and 30 m sprint performance of two participants decreased in BS, EMS, or BS + EMS conditions compared with CON. No PAP effect in other participants was observed. In conclusion, preloads did not affect 10 m and 30 m sprint performance of football and rugby players. It can be said that the applied PAP protocols or physical exertion alone may cause fatigue in some individuals.
Highlights
Sprinting and explosive force are principal performance determinants in team sports
The first is the increase in the phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain molecules, the second is the increase in the involvement of large motor units producing high force, and the third is the decrease in the angle of pennation in the muscles [1,2]
After 7 min of rest, 20 m sprint performance significantly increased in both applications [4]
Summary
Sprinting and explosive force are principal performance determinants in team sports. PAP is defined as an acute increase in performance after a moderate or severe muscle contraction [1]. The physiological underpinnings of PAP are not completely clarified, three theories have been put forward which may explain what underlies the increase in performance of athletes. In a study conducted on amateur team players, 10 × 1 repetitions of 90% 1 repetition maximum (RM) back squat were performed and after 5 min of rest, 10 m and 30 m sprint performance was increased [3]. 3 × 90% 1 RM back squats and power cleans were performed as a preload. After 7 min of rest, 20 m sprint performance significantly increased in both applications [4]. Heavy resistance exercises are mostly performed, isometric contractions, plyometric jumps, weight vests, and electromyostimulation (EMS) applications have been investigated [5,6,7]
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