Postactivation Potentiation Protocols Research Articles

THE EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC HYPOXIC PLYOMETRIC EXERCISE ON POST ACTIVATION POTENTIATION

INTRODUCTION In the literature, only acute effects of exercise, mostly combined with plyometrics or blood flow restriction (BFR), have been examined on post-activation-potentiation (PAP). Although systemic and local hypoxia have some similar effects, we found only one study (Ramos-Campo et al., 2020) reporting a PAP effect with systemic hypoxia. There is no study investigating chronic effects, and there is also no study examining acute and chronic effects of exercise together, not only in hypoxia but also in normoxia. The aim of this study is to examine the acute and chronic effects of plyometric exercise in hypoxia on PAP, and to test differences between high and low hypoxia. METHOD Nineteen team-sports athletes undertook 8-week drop-jump (DJ) training in Low-Hypoxia (LH, n=8), Normoxia (N, n=6), and High-Hypoxia (HH, n=5) using a hypoxicator set using a biofeedback system to sustain a SpO2 of 90%, 97-100%, and 80%, respectively. PAP assessments were applied under both normoxia and hypoxia on different days. Two DJ trials from 40-cm height were obtained as baseline measurements, and then 7.5 min passive rest was given under each group’s hypoxia level. Following 1x5 DJs for pre-test, and 1x8 DJs for post-test as PAP protocol, DJ tests were applied at 2nd and 4th min. RESULTS RM-ANOVA, to assess acute effect, showed a significant conditionxtest interaction (F=3.40, p=0.044), and only under normoxia condition DJ-height was significantly higher at 2nd (31.7cm) and 4th min (31.6cm) than baseline (30.1cm)(p<0.05). For chronic effect, mixed-ANOVA represented a significant groupxtest interaction (F=2.70, p=0.048). Only HH significantly increased DJ-height from baseline (30.0cm) to 2nd (31.9cm) and 4th min (32.9cm) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION We conclude that while acute hypoxia drop jump exercise may damage net balance between potentiation and fatigue which occurred after conditioning activity, high hypoxia drop jump training may affect this balance in favour of potentiation without any condition difference.

Comparison of tensiomyographic contractile properties of the knee muscles between endurance and power athletes

BACKGROUND: Postactivation potentiation (PAP) enhances contractility of skeletal muscle whereas fatigue deteriorates it. Available evidence suggests that the two phenomena may express differently in endurance and power athletes. OBJECTIVE: To compare the patterns of change in knee muscle contractility induced by PAP and fatigue between endurance and power athletes. METHODS: Eleven endurance and ten power athletes (age: 18–33 years) performed isokinetic fatigue and isometric PAP protocols with knee extensors and flexors on computerised dynamometer. Tensiomyography (TMG) of the vastus medialis and semitendinosus muscle medialis was performed before the protocols and during a 10-min recovery. RESULTS: The changes in TMG profile were most pronounced in the vastus medialis of power athletes following the PAP protocol and least pronounced in the semitendinosus of the endurance athletes following the fatigue protocol. The differences between athlete types were most significant for the time-domain TMG parameters of vastus medialis. A significant correlation (r= 0.51–0.73) between the fatigue indices and changes in TMG parameters was observed for the vastus medialis muscle only. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the TMG patterns of PAP and fatigue in the vastus muscle differ between endurance and power athletes. In this muscle, the changes in TMG parameters are also strongly associated with the degree of fatigue.

The Effect of Post-Activation Potentiation on Swimming Starts in Adolescent Swimmers.

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a phenomenon in which there is an increase in induced momentum in sporting activities after muscle contractions. In swimming, the start of the race and the increase in speed in its first few meters are important. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the PAP protocol, which included a simulated body weight start on the ground, on the swimming start and on the 25 m freestyle performance. The study included 14 male and 14 female swimmers, 14.9 ± 0.6 years old. All the swimmers performed three maximal attempts of 25 m freestyle swimming from the starting block on three different days in a randomly counterbalanced order. In each session, swimmers performed either a 25 m freestyle without any intervention before the swimming trial (CG), or performed four vertical simulated ground starts at maximal effort, 15 s before (15 sG) or 8 min before (8 minG) the swimming trial. The jump height, entry distance, flight time, and flight speed for each attempt were calculated. The CG entry distance was significantly longer than that of the 15 sG and 8 minG (3.39 ± 0.20 vs. 3.31 ± 0.21 and 3.25 ± 0.25 m, respectively, p < 0.001). Four simulated swim starts on the ground, 15 s or 8 min before the swim sprint, had no positive effect on the swim start or swim performance, and it is up to the swimmer to perform these jumps.

Motoric performance variation from morning to evening: 80% intensity post-activation potentiation protocol impacts performance and its diurnal amplitude in basketball players.

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) can be defined as the acute enhancement in muscle performance after preload stimulation that occurs during strength exercises or warm-up protocols, and the contractile history of any muscle group can directly influence the presented performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of motoric performance tests carried out at two different times of the day using three different PAP protocols. Thirty-two male basketball players with at least 2 years of training experience and who competed at the national level were recruited for this study [age: 21.80 ± 1.91 years; body height: 178.40 ± 6.85 cm; body mass: 72.50 ± 7.16 kg; body mass index (BMI): 22.81 ± 2.28]. After control and experimental-specific warm-up (SWU) sessions, participants completed a countermovement jump (CMJ) and seated medicine ball throw (SMBT). The SWU protocol was developed based on the athlete's typical warm-up routine. The experimental warm-ups included the same exercises as the SWU, with one set of bench presses for five repetitions at 80% (80% PAP) and one repetition at 100% of 1 RM (100% PAP). Each of the protocols consists of 15 min. The SWU and experimental warm-up sessions were completed in a random, counterbalanced order, completed in a period of 3-weeks. According to the research findings, carrying out the protocols in the evening led to a larger improvement in SMBT than in the morning (F = 35.94, p < 0.001, η 2 p = 0.537). Additionally, the SMBT results were statistically more significant in the group that received 80% PAP compared to the SWU (p = 0.034), and the SMBT results were also higher in the group that received 100% PAP compared to the SWU (p = 0.002). Furthermore, the interaction effect (time × PAP) was statistically significant in SMBT (F = 6.39, p = 0.003, η 2 p = 0.17). These results may provide more particular recommendations than previously thought to basketball coaches for the planning of basketball-specific PAP exercises prior to the start of training programs.

Effects of Static and Dynamic Post-Activation Potentiation Protocols on Change of Direction Performance in Adolescent Soccer Players

Summary Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the temporal effects of static and dynamic post-activation potentiation (PAP) conditioning activities on agility performance. Material and Methods: Fourteen male adolescent soccer players participated in the study. Participants performed three different conditioning activities randomly on non-consecutive days. Conditioning activities consisted of static, dynamic, and control protocols. The dynamic protocol was performed with the dynamic squat at 85% of 1-repetition maximum while the static protocol was performed 3 repetitions x 3 seconds of the isometric squat. The control protocol only completed a standardized warm-up. After the baseline measurements were taken, all protocols completed the agility test in 15th seconds, 2,4,6,8,10,12,14th minutes. Repeated measures in ANOVA were used to determine differences between PAP protocols and the Bonferroni post hoc test was employed to determine which protocol caused a significant difference. Results: There was no significant difference between protocols in baseline (p&lt;.925, ηp2 = 0.006), however, the control protocol caused a significant difference in 15th seconds and 2nd minutes compared to static and dynamic protocols (p&lt;.001, ηp2 = 0.73, 0.72, respectively). In the 4th and 6th minutes static and dynamic protocols caused a significant difference compared to control (p&lt;.001, ηp2 = 0.46-0.89, respectively), and in the 8th-minute static and dynamic protocols reached the peak performance (p&lt;.001, ηp2 = 0.96). Although in the 10-12-14th minutes static and dynamic protocols’ performance values gradually reduced. However, they always were better compared to the control protocol (p&lt;.001, ηp2 = 0.91-0.93-0.96, respectively). Conclusions: Adolescent soccer players can benefit from both static and dynamic PAP protocols before competition or halftime to improve performance.

Effect of Post-Activation Potentiation on Sprint Performance after Combined Electromyostimulation and Back Squats

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.

English

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of postactivation potentiation (PAP) in vertical and horizontal jump performance in pre-pubertal children. Material and method: One hundred and nineteen children (65 girls and 54 boys; 6.8 ± 0.7 years old; 124.5 ± 6.4 cm; 25.2 ± 5.1 kg) participated in this study. This was a transversal cross-sectional study which incorporated a within-subjects repeatedmeasures design, where participants completed all protocols. The experimental procedure required four total testing, separated by one week, using a counterbalanced. This study investigated jumping performance associated with weighted jumps, lowload vertical jumps, and horizontal jumps. During two sessions the participants performed vertical jumps with and without PAP, the other two sessions the same procedures were performed for horizontal jumps. The PAP protocol consisted of one set of five weighted countermovement jumps with low-load (10% of body mass) and a rest interval of four minutes prior to the jump tests. Paired t-tests were used between conditions (PAP and control) in the vertical jump and horizontal jump test. In addition, Cohen’s d effect size and 95% confidence interval was used. Results: Significant jump height was observed in the vertical jump in the PAP condition compared to the control condition (p = 0.007). Similar results were observed for the horizontal jump tests, with significant longer distance observed in the PAP condition (p = 0.036). Conclusions: Pre-pubertal children can benefit from the effects of PAP in vertical and horizontal jumping performance when preceded by low-load ballistic movements. A protocol implementing low-loads, determined by a relative percentage of body mass is effective to promote PAP for young children.

Use of Tensiomyography in Evaluating Sex-Based Differences in Resistance-Trained Individuals After Plyometric and Isometric Midthigh Pull Postactivation Potentiation Protocols.

Herring, CH, Goldstein, ER, and Fukuda, DH. Use of tensiomyography in evaluating sex-based differences in resistance-trained individuals after plyometric and isometric midthigh pull postactivation potentiation protocols. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1527-1534, 2021-The purposes of this study were to determine if there are sex-based differences in muscular contractile properties as measured by tensiomyography (TMG) and to determine if plyometrics or the isometric midthigh pull are effective methods of eliciting postactivation potentiation (PAP). Thirty strong, resistance-trained men (n = 15) and women (n = 15) underwent 3 testing days consisting of a PAP or control protocol, and pre-TMG and post-TMG and performance testing. Contractile properties from TMG were assessed in the gastrocnemius medial head (GMH), gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF). Performance testing included countermovement jumps (CMJs) and 30-m sprints. A time × sex interaction was found for GM delay time with women primarily influencing changes (mean difference = 2.74 ms) rather than men (mean difference = 1.32 ms). Main effects for time revealed an increase in GMH velocity of contraction (+0.004 mm·ms-1) and reductions in GM contraction time (-2.85 ms), GM delay time (-2.03 ms), RF delay time (-0.65 ms), CMJs (-2.74 cm), and 30-m time (0.05 seconds). Main effects for sex revealed greater values in women for GM contraction time (+15.50 ms), GM delay time (+6.65 ms), RF delay time (+2.26 ms), BF contraction time (+8.44 ms), BF delay time (+4.07 ms), BF maximal displacement (+2.27 mm), and 30-m time (+0.67 seconds), and lower values in women for GM velocity of contraction (-0.039 mm·ms-1) and CMJs (-13.46 cm).These findings may help practitioners optimize performance through enhanced assessments for injury risk, targeting specific muscles for training, and by selecting proper CAs and rest periods when using PAP.

Dynamic post-activation potentiation protocol improves rowing performance in experienced female rowers

ABSTRACT Post-activation potentiation likely acutely improves power-based performance; however, few studies have demonstrated improved endurance performance. Forty collegiate female rowers performed isometric potentiating (ISO), dynamic potentiating (DYN) and control (CON) warm-up protocols on a rowing ergometer, followed by a three-minute all-out test to evaluate their total distance, peak power, mean power, critical power, anaerobic working capacity (W’) and stroke rate. Fifteen-second splits were also analysed. ISO consisted of 5 × 5-second static muscle actions with the ergometer handle rendered immovable with a nylon strap, while DYN consisted of 2 × 10-second all-out rowing bouts, separated by a 2-minute rest interval. The participants were divided into high and low experience groups by median experience level (3.75 years) for statistical analysis. Significant differences (DYN > CON; p < 0.05) were found for distance (+5.6 m), mean power (+5.9 W) and W’ (+1561.6 J) for more experienced rowers (n = 19) and no differences for less experienced rowers (n = 18). Mean power in DYN was significantly greater than CON and ISO in the 15–30, 30–45, 45–60 and 60–75 second intervals independent of experience level. These results suggest that DYN may benefit experienced female rowers and that these strategies might benefit a greater power output over shorter distances regardless of experience.

A Comparison of Different Prerace Warm-Up Strategies on 1-km Cycling Time-Trial Performance.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and postactivation potentiation (PAP) are warm-up strategies proposed to improve high-intensity sporting performance. However, only few studies have investigated the benefits of these strategies compared with an appropriate control (CON) or an athlete-selected (SELF) warm-up protocol. Therefore, this study examined the effects of 4 different warm-up routines on 1-km time-trial (TT) performance with competitive cyclists. In a randomized crossover study, 12 well-trained cyclists (age 32 [10] y, mass 77.7 [4.6] kg, peak power output 1141 [61] W) performed 4 different warm-up strategies-(CON) 17 minutes CON only, (SELF) a self-determined warm-up, (IPC) IPC + CON, or (PAP) CON + PAP-prior to completing a maximal-effort 1-km TT. Performance time and power, quadriceps electromyograms, muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), and blood lactate were measured to determine differences between trials. There were no significant differences (P > .05) in 1-km performance time between CON (76.9 [5.2] s), SELF (77.3 [6.0] s), IPC (77.0 [5.5] s), or PAP (77.3 [5.9] s) protocols. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in mean or peak power output between trials. Finally, electromyogram activity, SmO2, and recovery blood lactate concentration were not different between conditions. Adding IPC or PAP protocols to a short CON warm-up appears to provide no additional benefit to 1-km TT performance with well-trained cyclists and is therefore not recommended. Furthermore, additional IPC and PAP protocols had no effect on electromyograms and SmO2 values during the TT or peak lactate concentration during recovery.

Acute effect of post activation potentiation using drop jumps on repeated sprints combined with vertical jumps in young handball players

BACKGROUND: The use of post-activation potentiation (PAP) exercises at the end of the warm-up may increase muscles nerve conduction speed and per consequent improve speed, strength and explosive power performances. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of PAP during warm-up using vertical or horizontal drop jumps on repeated sprints performance combined with countermovement jump in young handball players. METHODS: 12 young handball players participated in this study. Participants realized 3 randomized warm-up protocols: a warm-up without PAP, a warm-up with PAP using vertical drop jumps, and a warm-up with PAP using horizontal drop jumps. After the assigned PAP protocol, the subject realized a counter movement jump as a reference value (CMJr), and thereafter repeated sprint tests with and without changing of direction (six maximal 2 × 12.5 m shuttle sprints and six maximal 25 m straight sprints, respectively) combined with vertical jumping. RESULTS: Horizontal drop jump during warm-up showed larger improvements in repeated sprints performance with and without change of direction for the parameters best time and mean time, compared with warm up without drop jumps (p&lt; 0.01) and warm up with vertical drop jumps (p&lt; 0.05). Vertical drop jump performance during warm-up induced greater gains in countermovement jump reference value in comparison with warm up without drop jump (p&lt; 0.01), or warm up with horizontal drop jump (p&lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION: PAP during warm-up using horizontal drop jump improves repeated sprints performance with and without changing of direction while PAP using vertical drop jump improves CMJ reference value.

Current Evidence and Practical Applications of Flywheel Eccentric Overload Exercises as Postactivation Potentiation Protocols: A Brief Review.

To summarize the evidence on postactivation potentiation (PAP) protocols using flywheel eccentric overload (EOL) exercises. Studies were searched using the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Institute for Scientific Information Web of Knowledge. In total, 7 eligible studies were identified based on the following results: First, practitioners can use different inertia intensities (eg,0.03-0.88kg·m2), based on the exercise selected, to enhance sport-specific performance. Second, the PAP time window following EOL exercise seems to be consistent with traditional PAP literature, where acute fatigue is dominant in the early part of the recovery period (eg,30s), and PAP is dominant in the second part (eg,3 and 6min). Third, as EOL exercises require large force and power outputs, a volume of 3 sets with the conditioning activity (eg,half-squat or lunge) seems to be a sensible approach. This could reduce the transitory muscle fatigue and thereby allow for a stronger potentiation effect compared with larger exercise volumes. Fourth, athletes should gain experience by performing EOL exercises before using the tool as part of a PAP protocol (3 or 4 sessions of familiarization). Finally, the dimensions of common flywheel devices offer useful and practical solutions to induce PAP effects outside of normal training environments and prior to competitions. EOL exercise can be used to stimulate PAP responses to obtain performance advantages in various sports. However, future research is needed to determine which EOL exercise modalities among intensity, volume, and rest intervals optimally induce the PAP phenomenon and facilitate transfer effects on athletic performances.

The Effects of Cluster-Set and Traditional-Set Postactivation Potentiation Protocols on Vertical Jump Performance.

To compare the effects of 2 postactivation potentiation (PAP) protocols using traditional-set or cluster-set configurations on countermovement jump performance. Twenty-six male basketball players completed 3 testing sessions separated by 72hours. On the first session, subjects performed barbell jump squats with progressively heavier loads to determine their individual optimum power load. On the second and third sessions, subjects completed 2 PAP protocols in a randomized order: 3 sets of 6 repetitions of jump squats using optimum power load performed with either a traditional-set (no interrepetition rest) or a cluster-set (20-s rest every 2 repetitions) configuration. After a warm-up, countermovement jump height was measured using a force platform before, 30 seconds, 4 minutes, and 8 minutes after completing the PAP protocols. The following kinetic variables were also analyzed and compared: relative impulse, ground reaction force, eccentric displacement, and vertical leg-spring stiffness. Across both conditions, subjects jumped lower at post 30 seconds by 1.21cm, and higher in post 4 minutes by 2.21cm, and in post 8 minutes by 2.60cm compared with baseline. However, subjects jumped higher in the cluster condition by 0.71cm (95% confidence interval, 0.37 to 1.05cm) in post 30 seconds, 1.33cm (95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.65cm) in post 4 minute, and 1.64cm (95% confidence interval, 1.41 to 1.88cm) in post 8 minutes. The superior countermovement jump performance was associated with enhanced kinetic data. Both protocols induced PAP responses in vertical jump performance using jump squats at optimum power load. However, the cluster-set configuration led to superior performance across all time points, likely due to reduced muscular fatigue.

ANALYZING THE EFFECT OF POST ACTIVATION POTENTIATION ON VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT IN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

The aim of the study was to find the effect of post activation potentiation (PAP) on jump performance in volleyball players and to compare its effects between males and females. Forty volleyball players were randomly divided into control and experimental group. The experimental group performed a PAP protocol consisting of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 50% of 10 RM, 75% of 10 RM, 100% of 10 RM (repetition maximum) back squats. At the end of the last set of squats subjects performed 3 successive vertical jumps. Control group subjects performed only warm up for 10 minutes prior to assessment of jump performance. Results showed highly significant difference (p=0.0002) between the pre and post values of vertical jump height in males and significant difference (p=0.0008) in females. The findings of the present study also vivid that there were statistically significant difference (p=0.0130) between the post values of vertical jump height in males as compared to females. This study illustrate that stronger athletes have a greater potentiation, which is due to an ability to become more fatigue resistant as strength level increase and post-activation potentiation effect shows enhancement of on jump performance in volleyball players. This protocol might be helpful for the athletes as well as athletic trainers, coaches to formulate an effective training protocol for the athlete who will enhance their acute performance. Article visualizations:

Post-Activation Potentiation: Is there an Optimal Training Volume and Intensity to Induce Improvements in Vertical Jump Ability in Highly-Trained Subjects?

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of performing half squats (HSs) with different loading intensities (1, 3, and 5 repetitions maximum [RM], and 60% 1RM) and a different number of sets (1, 2, and 3) on the countermovement jump (CMJ) performance of 18 highly-trained male subjects. Participants were submitted to four experimental conditions (1RM, 3RM, 5RM, and 60% 1RM) in randomized order. The CMJ was assessed before and after each set. Differences in CMJ performance between the distinct experimental conditions and individual responses in CMJ performance induced by the different protocols were analyzed via the magnitude-based inference method. Overall, significant improvements were detected in individual CMJ heights after each activation protocol. It can be concluded that the use of 1 to 3 sets of HSs performed at moderate-to-high loads may be an effective strategy to improve jump performance in highly-trained subjects. Nevertheless, despite the high efficiency of the protocols tested here, coaches and researchers are strongly encouraged to perform individualized assessments within the proposed range of loads and sets, to find optimal and tailored post-activation potentiation protocols.

Effects of post activation potentiation on eccentric loading: Is it possible to do more repetitions after supra-maximal loading?

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Post Activation Potentiation (PAP) on muscular endurance performance. 42 physically active male participants (PAP Group n=32, Control Group n=10) who have at least 1 year of resistance training experience and exercise min. times/week, participated in this study. First testing session were the same for both Control and PAP group. On the first session, 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) of subjects was found. 65% of the 1 RM was calculated to find the weight that was going to be used for the muscular endurance test. Subjects completed maximal number of repetitions with 65 % of their 1 RM. On the second test session which was done 48 hours after the first session, PAP group did eccentric loading with Bench Press with their 120 % of 1 RM than rest 8 minutes to elicit the effects of PAP. After the resting period, muscular endurance test with 65% of 1 RM and time under tension were recorded. No statistical difference was found between the number of repetitions that were done in the first and the second test session for control group (p>0.05). Whereas significant increase was found for the PAP group (p 0.05). As a result of this study, supra-maximal eccentric loading was found to be an effective method to elicit the effects of PAP on muscular endurance. Therefore, PAP protocols in resistance training sessions might be considered to be used for athletes who want to improve their muscular endurance performance.

Effects of post-activation potentiation and carbohydrate mouth rinse on repeated sprint ability

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of post-activation potentiation (PAP), carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse, and the combination of both strategies on repeated sprint ability (RSA). Twenty male soccer players (age = 18.9 ± 0.9 years, body mass = 71.8 ± 5.2 kg, height = 178.2 ± 6.3 cm) randomly performed four experimental conditions before RSA test (six sets of 40 m): (I) placebo (PLA) control, (II) CHO mouth rinse (6% maltodextrin), (III) PAP + PLA, and (IV) PAP + CHO. The PAP protocol involved two sets of five repetitions (80% 1RM) of the back squat exercise. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni post hoc test was used to compare the experimental conditions. Results indicated that PAP + CHO and PAP + PLA had better results for the variables best sprint time, mean sprint time, and total sprint time compared with CHO and PLA ( p < 0.001; small effect size). No significant interaction between the experimental conditions was observed for the variable RSA performance decrement, and no significant difference between conditions, i.e., PAP + CHO vs. PAP + PLA and CHO vs. PLA control was found. In conclusion, PAP positively affects RSA performance in soccer players; however, the combination of PAP and CHO mouth rinse showed no additional effect.

Do Thirty-Second Post-activation Potentiation Exercises Improve the 50-m Freestyle Sprint Performance in Adolescent Swimmers?

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate performance, biomechanical, physiological, and psychophysiological effects of a simple and easily organized post-activation potentiation (PAP) re-warm-up performed before a 50-m freestyle swimming sprint.Methods: Regional level male adolescent swimmers [age: 13.0 ± 2.0 years; (min 11 years – max 15 years)] performed four trial conditions (three experimental, one control) on different days. The control trial involved a standardized 1200-m warm-up followed by 30 min of rest and a maximal 50-m freestyle swimming sprint. The experimental trials involved the same protocol but added a PAP component after a 20-min rest (10 min pre-50-m): The different PAP component involved the subjects in completing a 30-s maximal effort of: (1) push-ups (PU – upper body), (2) squats (SQ – lower body), and (3) burpees (BP – lower and upper body). Performance (time-trial), biomechanical (stroke length, stroke frequency), physiological (blood lactate concentrations, heart rate), and psychophysiological (ratings of perceived exertion) variables were collected.Results: The results demonstrated that the PAP protocols used in this investigation had no effect on swimming performance. Before the 50-m swimming sprint, the lactate values were significantly higher after the PU, BP, and SQ PAP loads compared to the control condition [P(CC-PU) = 0.02; P(CC-BP) = 0.01; P(CC-SQ) = 0.04]. For Lactate values, a significant and large effect of experimental condition compared to control condition was found (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.68). At 1 min after the 50-m time trial, significant differences were observed between the control condition and the different PAP loads [P(CC-PU) = 0.01; P(CC-BP) = 0.04; P(CC-SQ) = 0.01]. At 3 min after the 50-m sprint, significant differences were found between the control condition and the PU and SQ PAP loads [P(CC-PU) = 0.018; P(CC-SQ) = 0.008, respectively]. Additionally, a significant and large effect of experimental condition was found at 1 and 3 min after the 50-m swimming sprint (p < 0.05, η2(1 min) = 0.73; η2(3 min) = 0.59). There were medium sized but non-significant effects of interaction between the conditions, was illustrated for the mean HR values in response to the different conditions (p > 0.05; η2 = 0.083).Conclusion: None of the three PAP protocols showed any significant improvement in performance, biomechanical, physiological, and psychophysiological variables before, during and after the 50-m swimming time-trial. Further studies are warranted to investigate ways to improve swimming performance with simple body mass exercises performed in-between the end of pool warm-up and race start.

Postactivation potentiation improves athletic performance without affecting plasma oxidative level.

Several authors reported evidences for postactivation potentiation (PAP) but so far, few studies suggested suitable methods for use it to improve performance. On the other hand, it is well known that a fatiguing exercise can leads to a temporary imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their disposal. The purpose of our research was to evaluate the effects on performance and plasma oxidative stress of a specific program of conditioning in replacement of traditional sequences of warm-up. We proposed a protocol of specific conditioning exercises and the effect on performance is evaluated by measuring leg power using the counter movement jump performed at different time after the protocol in athletes trained for different sports. Moreover, we measured the antioxidant capacity and the plasma levels of reactive oxygen metabolites before and at different times after the conditioning. Considering the evaluation of explosive force of athletes subdivided for the different sports we noticed that the swimmer and tennis players do not show a significant improvement in it after conditioning while the soccer and rugby players shown a significant prolongation of the effect. Moreover, the analysis of oxidative stress shows that it is not influenced by the PAP protocol used. We can conclude that our specific protocol seems effective in improving performance in athletes who used training methods able to affect their explosive strength like soccer players. On the contrary, in our proposed program this effect seems to be less evident in athletes who used resistance-training programs.

Hip thrust-based PAP effects on sprint performance of soccer players: heavy-loaded versus optimum-power development protocols

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to investigate the acute effects of two barbell hip thrust-based post-activation potentiation (PAP) protocols on subsequent sprint performance. Using a crossover design, eighteen soccer athletes performed 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m sprints before and 15 s, 4 min, and 8 min after two PAP protocols. The PAP conditioning activities consisted of hip thrust exercises loaded with either 85% 1RM or a load for optimum power development. The resulting 5 m and 10 m sprint performances were impaired at 15 s following both protocols. At 4 min and 8 min, meaningful improvements were observed for the three sprint distances following both of the protocols. Meaningful differences were found when comparing the two PAPs over time: greater impairments in 5 m and 10 m following the 85% of 1 RM protocol after 15 s, and greater improvements in all sprint distances after 4 min and 8 min following the optimum power development protocol. Positive correlations between the hip thrust's 1RM and power values and the overall individual PAP responses were found. This investigation showed that both heavy-loaded and optimum-power hip thrust exercises can induce a PAP response, with the optimum-power development protocol preferred due its higher efficiency.