Effect of Potentiating Exercise Volume on Vertical Jump Parameters in Recreationally Trained Men

Abstract

High-force activities have demonstrated postactivation potentiation (PAP) and may enhance performance in athletes; however, the efficacy of high-force activities to generate PAP in recreationally trained men remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high-force back squat volume on vertical jump (VJ) height, ground reaction force (GRF), impulse (IMP), and takeoff velocity (TOV) in recreationally trained men. Sixteen recreationally trained men (age 24.56 +/- 2.10 years, height 174.53 +/- 8.54 cm, mass 84.59 +/- 14.75 kg, and 1 repetition maximum [1RM] back squat 124.71 +/- 17.58 kg) with at least 1 year of back squat experience completed 5 testing sessions separated by a minimum of 72 hours' rest. On session 1, subjects completed VJ testing without a potentiating exercise intervention (control condition) in a test-retest fashion (3 VJs, 5 minutes seated rest, and 3 more VJs) and performed 1RM back squat testing. Subjects completed the subsequent 4 testing sessions in a test-retest fashion (3 VJs, experimental condition, 5 minutes seated rest, and 3 more VJs) in random order. The 4 experimental conditions required subjects to perform the back squat using a load of 85% 1RM with volumes of 1 x 2, 1 x 3, 1 x 4, or 1 x 5. Analysis of variance revealed no significant (p > 0.05) condition by time interactions for any dependent variable; however, there were significant (p < 0.05) main effects for time for GRF (pre 2,123.74 +/- 422.86 N, > post 2,094.53 +/- 390.99 N) and IMP (pre 210.88 +/- 100.97 Nxs, > post 204.63 +/- 106.14 Nxs) but not for VJ or TOV. These results suggest that 85% 1RM back squat volume assignments do not produce a VJ potentiation response in recreationally trained men.