title: Resistance Training Priming Activity Improves Upper-Body Power Output in Rugby Players: Implications for Game Day Performance.
abstract: Mason, BRJ, Argus, CK, Norcott, B, and Ball, NB. Resistance training priming activity improves upper-body power output in rugby players: implications for game day performance. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 913-920, 2017-"Priming" or preactivation strategies performed in the hours leading into competition have been suggested to improve game day performance. Therefore, this study assessed the effectiveness of a resistance training priming activity on eliciting changes in lower- and upper-body power output, along with perceptual measures. To assess these changes, 13 state-level rugby players (aged 18.5 ± 0.5 years) completed a test-retest protocol using a counterbalanced crossover design. Perceptual (readiness to perform questionnaire) and performance measures (20-kg countermovement jump [CMJ], 20-kg bench throw) were completed before either a control (rest) or priming activity (4 sets of 3 banded back squats and banded bench press). After a 1-hour and 45-minute recovery period, perceptual and performance measures were repeated. Readiness to perform showed no meaningful differences pre- and postintervention. Bench throw peak power (8.5 ± 5.8%, 90% confidence limit; p ≤ 0.05) improved after the priming activity when compared with the control trial. Countermovement jump peak power (3.4 ± 4.9%; p > 0.05) had a small decrease after the priming activity when compared with the control trial. Therefore, completing a priming activity 1 hour and 45 minutes before competition is recommended to improve upper-body power output. However, further research into lower-body priming protocols should be conducted before implementing a lower-body priming activity before competition.
authors.affiliation: 1Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia; 2Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia; and 3Brumbies Rugby, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Billy R J
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Christos K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Argus
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Norcott
authors.forename: Nick B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult