Acute Effects of Squats Using Elastic Bands on Postactivation Potentiation

Peng, H-T, Zhan, D-W, Song, C-Y, Chen, Z-R, Gu, C-Y, Wang, I-L, and Wang, L-I. Acute effects of squats using elastic bands on postactivation potentiation. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3334-3340, 2021-The study aimed to investigate the acute effects of squats using elastic bands at different resistance and recovery time points on postactivation potentiation (PAP). Fifteen male collegiate physical education students volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects were assigned to 6 experimental visits, which consisted of repeated factors that were 2 resistance squats (3 repetition maximum [RM] and 5RM) with elastic bands as intervention and 3 performance tests (countermovement jumps [CMJs], 20-m sprints, and change of direction [COD]). The performance test was measured before the resistance squat (pre-test) and at 15 seconds, 4 minutes, and 8 minutes after the resistance squat (post-tests) on each visit. An AMTI force plate and a set of Optojump sensors were used to obtain ground reaction force data during the CMJs and during the 20-m sprints and COD test, respectively. Repeated-measures two-way analyses of variance were performed for the resistance squats and recovery time points for each dependent variable. The 20-m sprint and COD test times at the 4-minute recovery time point after 3RM and 5RM resistance squatting were shorter than the pre-test values (p < 0.05). The rates of force development at the 4- and 8-minute recovery time points after 5RM resistance squatting were higher than the corresponding pre-test values (p < 0.05). All test performance variables significantly decreased at the 15-second recovery time point (p < 0.05). The use of elastic bands in 3RM and 5RM resistance squatting as a warm-up activity may positively affect PAP to improve sprinting, COD ability, and jump explosiveness at the 4-minute recovery time point.