The Effect of Set Configuration and Load on Post-Activation Potentiation on Vertical Jump in Athletes

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of post-activation potentiation (PAP) on countermovement jump (CMJ) using different set configurations and loads on conditioning activity (CA) in highly trained athletes. Sixteen national level swimmers participated in this study and performed a total of six visits to the laboratory. The first session was used for familiarization, the second session was utilized to determine five repetitions maximum (RM) in the half squat (HS), and the following four visits consisted of four CA protocols performed in a counterbalanced order. Two CAs were performed as traditional sets (TS) with sequential repetition, with different load, which involved one set of five repetitions at 100% (TS100) or 65% of 5 RM load (TS65). Additionally, two CAs included one set of five repetitions with intraset rests, 30 second inter-repetition rest (IRR), with both relative loads (IRR100 and IRR65). Countermovement jump height was measured at baseline, immediately after the CA, and every two-minutes until twelve-minutes. Significantly faster peak and mean barbell velocity was observed for the CAs with lower relative loads (p < 0.05). When evaluating the best result at individual time point of CMJ height after the CA, TS100 improved CMJ performance (ES = 0.38, p = 0.028, Δ% = 4.8 ± 7.3). Thus, set configuration using IRR does not promote PAP in the current study and TS with a high-load should be adopted for an acute improvement in CMJ for highly trained athletes.