Investigation of the parameters modulating responsiveness to post-activation performance enhancement

• Grant number: 23/15796-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Coelho Rabello de Lima
• Grantee: Leonardo Coelho Rabello de Lima
• Host Institution: Escola de Educação Física e Esporte de Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Amilton Vieira ; Enrico Fuini Puggina

Abstract

Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has been widely studied in the last few decades. However, some points regarding the parameters modulating responsiveness to this phenomenon are yet to be determined. It has been suggested that trained persons can benefit from the use of a self-selected interval (SSI) after pre-activation (PA) in PAPE sessions, but the reproducibility of this method is not yet known. Furthermore, PAPE is used in contrast training sessions, which alternate between high-load efforts (i.e., PA) and powerful actions. However, there are no studies investigating the sustainability of responsiveness to PAPE during such sessions. Moreover, the current literature - based off transversal studies - suggests that trained persons are more responsive to PAPE compared to untrained individuals, but the exact strength training-induced adaptations that lead to greater responsiveness to PAPE are still not fully understood. The aim of the present study is to investigate three different parameters that appear to modulate responsiveness to PAPE: the interval respected between the PA and performance assessment within PAPE sessions, exercise-induced neuromuscular fatigue, and training level. The specific aims are: 1) to investigate if the use of SSI is reproducible in trained persons; 2) to determine for how long responsiveness to PAPE is sustained during contrast training sessions, and; 3) to experimentally confirm if the training state modulates responsiveness to PAPE and determine which strength training-induced neuromuscular adaptations are associated with it. For all experiments, responsiveness to PAPE will be assessed following a PA protocol consisting of three sets of three back squats with a load corresponding to 87% of one repetition maximum. The key dependent variables to determine responsiveness to PAPE will be related to countermovement jump performance over a force plate. We expect that the obtained results contribute to elucidating the role of different parameter in modulating responsiveness to PAPE by also investigating their underlying mechanisms. (AU)