Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) Increases Jumping Power in Elite Female Volleyball Athletes

This study investigated PAPE effects of two conditioning activities (CA) and recovery times on the peak jumping power (PP) of elite female volleyball athletes. Players performed CA separately: three sets of three repetitions of back squats with 85% of 1RM (BS) or one set of five depth drops (DD). PP was measured with countermovement (CMJ) and squat jumps (SJ) before (pre-test) and two minutes (post-test 1) and six hours (post-test 2) after each CA. BS significantly reduced PP at post-test 1 (CMJ and SJ: p < 0.04, d between -0.36 and -0.28). At post-test 2, following BS, PP for both jump forms was significantly greater than at post-test 1 (p < 0.001, d between 0.54 and 0.55) and at pre-test (p < 0.048, d between 0.21 and 0.30). DD increased PP significantly (CMJ and SJ p < 0.05, d between 0.40 and 0.41) relative to pre-test at post-test 2 (there was no significant difference between pre-test and post-test 1). Comparing BS with DD, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05). The greatest PAPE effects were observed six hours after BS. CA are recommended for female athletes to improve jumping performance, but individual responses should be determined prior to use.