Abstract
Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) is a phenomenon whereby performing one exercise improves performance of a subsequent physical activity. Despite widespread use of PAPE, there is a notable lack of research on the phenomenon in female athletes – a prevalent issue in exercise and sports science overall. Given the importance of jumping ability in various sports and considering potential sex differences in movement mechanics and determinants, understanding how to most effectively utilize PAPE may help inform performance approaches in all athletic populations. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to compare back squat PAPE effects on countermovement jumps (CMJs) in trained female and male individuals. A secondary aim was to compare such effects at different proximities to failure. METHODS: Participants completed 4 experimental sessions involving baseline CMJs followed by either passive rest (CON) or 2 sets of 1 (1R), 3 (3R), or 5 (5R) back squat repetitions at each participant’s 5RM weight, and subsequent CMJ testing at min. 3, 6, and 9. RESULTS: 15 females and 16 males successfully completed all sessions. Bayesian statistical analyses revealed sex-moderated posterior probabilities of positive change in jump height (JH) %difference [95%CrI] from baseline at 1R min. 9 (F=0.34 [0.12,0.54]; M=0.09 [0.0,0.19] and 3R min. 3 (F=0.47 [0.20,0.67]; M=0.11 [0.0,0.3] but not in 5R. 3R and 5R most effectively maintained JH and improved relative peak force and rate of force production for both sexes. CONCLUSION: Sex may moderate PAPE effects of heavy back squats performed far from failure but is unlikely to moderate such effects at close proximity to failure. PAPE is also more likely to be observed following heavy back squats performed closer to failure. While more research is needed directly comparing sex-moderated responses to different potentiation protocols, practitioners are advised to take higher-intensity approaches to PAPE for both females and males.
Recommended Citation
Piñero, Alec; Mohan, Adam E.; Burke, Ryan; Babault, Nicolas; Swinton, Paul A.; and Schoenfeld, Brad J.
(2025)
"On Equal Footing? Sex-moderated Post-activation Performance Enhancement in Trained Individuals,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
7, Article 9.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss7/9