The effect of Post Activation Potentiation in children’s jumping performance

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to investigate a) the potential effect of PAP in children’s jumping performance and b) the optimal time frame of the potential PAP effects in the same population METHODS: Ten healthy male children (age: 12.2 ± 1.2; n= 7, pre-PHV and n= 3, post-PHV) conducted a single set of heavy resistance training (3RM leg press) followed by five maximal counter-movement-jump (CMJ) at different passive rest periods (1 min, 2 min, 4 min, 6 min, 8 min). Baseline 3RM leg press strength test, countermovement jump (CMJ), and peak height velocity (PHV) were assessed. Primary outcome: jump height (cm) pre and post-PAP. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between jumping heights pre- and post-PAP at any of the selected rest periods (1 min ES: 0.0; 2 min ES: 0.25; 4 min ES: 0.09; 6 min: ES: 0.03; 8 min ES: 0.15, p = 0.99). Pre vs. post-PAP jumping heights did not differ significantly even when participants were grouped according to peak height velocity (PHV) (pre-PHV: p = 0.97, ES: - 0.07 to 0.26 and post-PHV: p = 0.99, ES: - 0.11 to 0.37). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that a single set of a heavy lower-body resistance training protocol induces no significant PAP effect in healthy male preadolescent children, irrespective of the rest period used. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.