(13) Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) In Men And Women

Abstract Details: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) refers to a temporary increase in power output following a conditioning activity (CA). Many studies have tried to investigate whether or not combining different training modalities (e.g., eccentric, concentric, and isometric training) and acute training variables (e.g., training intensity and rest periods) would elicit a meaningful and statistically significant PAPE. Some studies reported a significant increase in jump height after different PAPE protocols. However, timing and magnitude of the potentiation effect may depend on several factors, including training background, experience, strength levels,
and sex. Thus far, no study has yet to compare the effect of a volume- and intensity-match PAPE protocol between men and women.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a volume- and intensity-match PAPE protocol between men and women.

Methods: 16 athletes (10 Men; 6 Women) volunteered in this study. All participants had similar years of resistance training experience and similar levels of relative strength (Back Squat 1RM: men = 2.2 ± 0.3 ✕ body weight; women = 2.0 ± 0.3 ✕ bodyweight). The CA consisted of a set of 3 repetitions of a barbell back squat with a load corresponding to 90% of 1RM performed after a standardized warm-up. Jump height was recorded 1 min, 3 min, 5 min, 7 min, 9 min, 11 min, 13 min, and 15 min post-intervention using a standard countermovement jump (CMJ) on force plates sampling at 1000 Hz (ForceDecks, VALD Performance, Australia). As statistical analyses, a mixed-model ANOVA was used with time and sex as within and between factors, respectively. Statistical analysis was applied taking as PRE the average of 3 CMJs performed before the CA. CMJs performed in the minutes after the CA were used as POST. Significance was set a priori to an alpha level of .05. Bonferroni post- hoc analysis was used to identify differences in pairwise comparisons.

Results: Post-hoc analyses indicated that CMJ height at POST 5 min was significantly greater than PRE in men (p=0.018); no significant differences between PRE and any POST time-point were found in women. Figure 1 includes performance outcomes for CMJ height for both groups.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that a standard PAPE protocol could be used to increase power output in men, while its effect on women remains inconclusive. A limitation of this study is the number of participants involved. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study highlights the limitations of current PAPE studies indicating the need to further investigate PAPE protocols in women.

Acknowledgements: none