A New Taxonomy for Postactivation Potentiation in Sport

Abstract

Postactivation potentiation (PAP) mechanisms and responses have a long scientific history. However, to this day there is still controversy regarding the mechanisms underlying enhanced performance after a conditioning activity. More recently, the term postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) has been proposed with differing associated mechanisms and protocols than with PAP. However, these 2 terms (PAP and PAPE) may not adequately describe all specific potentiation responses and mechanisms and can also be complementary, in some cases. Purpose: This commentary presents and discusses the similarities and differences between PAP and PAPE and, subsequently, elaborates on a new taxonomy for better describing performance potentiation in sport settings. Conclusion: The elaborated taxonomy proposes the formula “Post-[CONDITIONING ACTIVITY] [VERIFICATION TEST] potentiation in [POPULATION].” This taxonomy would avoid erroneous identification of isolated physiological attributes and provide individualization and better applicability of conditioning protocols in sport settings.

Postactivation performance enhancement: Does conditioning one arm augment performance in the other?

“…Postactivation potentiation is the phenomenon by which muscle force is increased following a conditioning activity/contraction (Burke, Rudomin, & Zajac, 1976; Young, Jenner, & Griffiths, 1998). This form of activity‐dependent potentiation phenomenon is cited throughout the literature as staircase treppe, post‐tetanic potentiation, postactivation potentiation and/or postactivation performance enhancement (Blazevich & Babault, 2019; Boullosa et al, 2020; Cuenca‐Fernández et al, 2017). Regardless of the method of measurement employed, these different forms of potentiation are ultimately verified by an increase in muscle force following a conditioning activity.…”

Post-activation performance enhancement strategies in sport: a brief review for practitioners

“…More importantly, several studies have suggested the necessity of individualized approaches as the generalization of findings is often not valid for individual responses in the same studies [6,[16][17][18]. In this regard, if we consider our recent taxonomy proposal [7], which highlights the necessity of better identifying the main factors of PAPE as CA, the verification test, and population, it may be suggested that other potential moderators (e.g. timing) of these factors could have been ignored.…”

“…For this reason, identification of athletes' sex and age is also recommended, apart from the specific sport. Further, the physiological profile associated to the demands of each sport (individual vs. team sports; endurance vs. power sports) can importantly influence both PAPE factors and responses [7,19]. But this moderator is not always considered, specifically in studies that mix athletes from different sports [18,35].…”

“…To improve the accuracy of describing the phenomena and the applicability of potentiation protocols, we will also introduce a novel taxonomy to better identify the CA, the target exercise (i.e. verification test), and the specific population [7].…”

Post Flywheel Squat Potentiation of Vertical and Horizontal Ground Reaction Force Parameters during Jumps and Changes of Direction

“…The role of post-activation potentiation on sports performance has been recently debated due to uncertainties around the extent to which the time frames of myosin light chain phosphorylation and voluntary force enhancement overlap [5]. An alternative term, post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), has been proposed to incorporate changes in factors such as the temperature, water content, and activation of muscle [5,6].…”