Title: Effect of Postactivation Potentiation on Short Sprint Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Short sprint is an important physical ability that determines the success in various sports modalities and may influence different conditioning activities. Postactivation potentiation (PAP) is a conditioning method used in practicing sports, which can result in acute improvements in muscle power and performance by interaction of physiological and neural mechanisms. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the effect of PAP on a sprint of less than 40 meters. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on the randomized, controlled studies. The search was conducted in several databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Science Direct) using the following keywords: “Postactivation Potentiation”, “Sprint”, and “Complex Training and Sprint”. The sprint time data (mean and standard deviation) of the selected studies were analyzed using the OpenMeta (Analyst)® program. Data were expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) between the groups with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The level of significance was P < 0.05. Results: A total of 1859 records were initially identified out of which 15 studies were selected according to the inclusion criteria and included in the current study. The meta-analysis results showed a positive effect of PAP on sprint time in the distance 0 to 10 meter (WMD = -0.031 seconds, 95% CI: -0.050, -0.012, P = 0.001), 11 to 20 meter (WMD = -0.048 seconds, 95% CI: -0.089, -0.007, P = 0.021), 21 to 30 meter (WMD = -0.060 seconds, 95% CI: -0.094, -0.026; P < 0.001), and 31 to 40 meter (WMD = -0.109 seconds, 95% CI = -0.141, -0.077, P < 0.001). Conclusion: In summary, PAP induced positive effects on short sprint performances.