Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
08:29
Standardized Induction and Assessment of Long-term Potentiation-like Cortical Plasticity Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: November 7, 2025
Postactivation potentiation following different modes of exercise.
Joseph I Esformes1, Neil Cameron, Theodoros M Bampouras
1Cardiff School of Sport, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom. jesformes@uwic.ac.uk
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|June 15, 2010
Summary
Postactivation potentiation (PAP) from heavy resistance exercise may enhance countermovement jump (CMJ) height, but this effect does not carry over to subsequent performance trials. Plyometric activity did not significantly impact CMJ performance.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Skeletal muscle performance is influenced by contractile history, a phenomenon known as postactivation potentiation (PAP).
- While resistance exercise-induced PAP is documented, its effect on plyometric activity and repeated performance trials is less understood.
- Previous research has not extensively investigated PAP's impact across multiple subsequent performance trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of heavy-resistance exercise and plyometric activity on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance.
- To determine if postactivation potentiation (PAP) enhances CMJ performance over three consecutive trials.
- To compare the PAP effects of resistance exercise versus plyometric exercise on CMJ outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen anaerobically trained males participated in a counterbalanced study design.
- Subjects performed countermovement jumps (CMJs) preceded by either heavy-resistance half squats (3RM), lower body plyometrics (24 contacts), or rest (control), with 5 minutes between conditions.
- Measurements included maximal displacement, peak power, peak vertical force, rate of force development, and relative force over three CMJ trials per condition.
Main Results:
- Heavy-resistance exercise resulted in greater CMJ displacement compared to rest or plyometric conditions.
- No significant differences in CMJ performance variables were observed across the three repeated trials for any condition.
- Plyometric activity did not significantly enhance CMJ performance compared to the control condition.
Conclusions:
- Heavy resistance exercise may acutely enhance CMJ height, but this potentiation effect is not sustained across repeated trials.
- Neither heavy resistance exercise nor plyometric activity provided additional benefits for repeated CMJ performance.
- The findings suggest that while PAP can influence single-effort jump performance, its impact diminishes with subsequent attempts.
More Related Videos
08:21Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol
Published on: June 8, 2017
09:52Measuring and Manipulating Functionally Specific Neural Pathways in the Human Motor System with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: February 23, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:25Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
01:35Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
01:22Muscle Stimulation Frequency
The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
01:20Motor Unit Stimulation
When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
01:24Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective response...