Does Post-Activation Potentiation Protocols affect Anaerobic Performance in women Taolu Wushu Athletes?

Abstract

Introduction: Post-activation potentiation has an influence on short duration and high intensity function. This study aimed to answer this question whether post-activation potentiation protocol in different models has effect on anaerobic performance in women Wushu athletes. Methods: Women elite Taolu Wushu athletes participated in current crossover design study. (i) specific Wushu WU (Wushu WU); (ii) Strength-based WU (StreWU); and (iii) Speed-based WU (SpeWU) were performed by Wushu athletes in three inconsecutive days separated by 48 h. Five minutes after each WU protocols, Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was performed. Heart rate, immediately, and blood lactate were measured for 4 times: before WU protocols, immediately after WU protocols, before RAST, immediately after RAST.Results: Data analysis revealed significant differences in 4 time points of lactate levels (p=0.001; d=1.71), although no significant difference among protocols was observed. Values of variables obtained from RAST showed that StreWU had a significant impact on minimum power (p<0.05; d=-0.795) comparing to WushuWU and on fatigue index comparing to SpeWU (p<0.05; d=-0.799). No significant differences were found among the WU protocols for peak power and mean power.Conclusion: All WU protocols had mostly the same effect, and PAP was not very effective. Possibly, the WU protocols generated too much fatigue, due to the short-term rest time. However, longer intervals would likely enter the realm of post-activation performance enhancement, which is distinct from PAP.