title: Postactivation potentiation of sprint acceleration performance using plyometric exercise.
abstract: Postactivation potentiation (PAP), an acute and temporary enhancement of muscular performance resulting from previous muscular contraction, commonly occurs after heavy resistance exercise. However, this method of inducing PAP has limited application to the precompetition practices (e.g., warm-up) of many athletes. Very few studies have examined the influence of plyometric activity on subsequent performance; therefore, we aimed to examine the influence of alternate-leg bounding on sprint acceleration performance. In a randomized crossover manner, plyometric-trained men (n = 23) performed seven 20-m sprints (with 10-m splits) at baseline, ∼15 seconds, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 minutes after a walking control (C) or 3 sets of 10 repetitions of alternate-leg bounding using body mass (plyometric, P) and body mass plus 10% (weighted plyometric, WP). Mean sprint velocities over 10 and 20 m were similar between trials at baseline. At ∼15 seconds, WP impaired 20-m sprint velocity by 1.4 ± 2.5% when compared with C (p = 0.039). Thereafter, 10- and 20-m sprint velocities improved in WP at 4 minutes (10 m: 2.2 ± 3.1%, p = 0.009; 20 m: 2.3 ± 2.6%, p = 0.001) and 8 minutes (10 m: 2.9 ± 3.6%, p = 0.002; 20 m: 2.6 ± 2.8%, p = 0.001) compared with C. Improved 10-m sprint acceleration performance occurred in P at 4 minutes (1.8 ± 3.3%, p = 0.047) relative to C. Therefore, sprint acceleration performance is enhanced after plyometric exercise providing adequate recovery is given between these activities; however, the effects may differ according to whether additional load is applied. This finding presents a practical method to enhance the precompetition practices of athletes.
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 2Applied Sports Technology Exercise and Medicine Research Centre, Health and Sport Portfolio, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom; and 3Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellhouse
authors.forename: Liam P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kilduff
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059385:Plyometric Exercise; D011897:Random Allocation; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult