Effects of Postactivation Potentiation on Linear and Change-of-Direction Speed: Analysis of the Current Literature and Applications for the Strength and Conditioning Coach

Abstract

ABSTRACT THIS ARTICLE INVESTIGATES THE CURRENT LITERATURE REGARDING POSTACTIVATION POTENTIATION (PAP) EFFECTS ON LINEAR AND CHANGE-OF-DIRECTION (COD) SPEED. THE MECHANISMS BEHIND PAP ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED, AS WELL AS THOSE FACTORS THAT MUST BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY COACHES WHEN THEY WISH TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM THAT COULD INVOKE PAP. LINEAR AND COD SPEED ARE DEFINED SUCH THAT COACHES KNOW WHAT PARAMETER THEY ARE TRAINING. FINALLY, A REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE LITERATURE REGARDING PAP AND LINEAR AND COD SPEED ARE PROVIDED AND DISCUSSED. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS FROM THE ANALYSIS ARE PROVIDED FOR COACHES.