Post-activation effects of accommodating resistance and different rest intervals on vertical jump performance in strength trained males.

Background: Post-activation potentiation performance (PAPE) is a physiological phenomenon that has been studied numerously but the researchers are still seeking for the optimal application methods. The accommodating resistance was found to be an effective training method to acutely enhance subsequent explosive performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of performing a trap bar deadlift with accommodating resistance on squat jump (SJ) performance with different rest intervals (90, 120, 150s).

Methods: The study had a cross-over design and fifteen strength-trained males (age 22.9 ± 2.1 years; body height 182 ± 6.5 cm; body mass: 80.4 ± 9.8 kg; body fat 15.8 ± 7.0%; BMI 24.1 ± 2.8; lean body mass 67.5 ± 8.8 kg) participated in one familiarization, three experimental and three control sessions within three weeks. The conditioning activity (CA) used in the study was a single set of 3 repetitions of a trap bar deadlift at 80% 1RM with approximately 15% 1RM of an elastic band. The SJ measurements were performed at the baseline and post-CA after 90 or 120 or 150s.

Results: The 90s experimental protocol significantly improved (p < 0.05, effect size 0.34) acute SJ performance whereas 120 and 150 s experimental protocols did not significantly improve performance. The following tendency was observed - the longer the rest interval, the smaller the potentiation effect; p value for 90s (0.046), 120s (0.166), 150s (0.745).

Conclusions: A trap bar deadlift with accommodating resistance and 90s rest interval can be used to acutely enhance jump performance. A 90s rest interval was found to be optimal to enhance subsequent SJ performance, but the potential rest interval extension to 120s could also be taken by strength and conditioning coaches as the PAPE effect is highly individual. However, exceeding the rest interval to more than 120s may not be effective in optimising the PAPE effect.