The effects of post-activation performance enhancement and different warm-up protocols on swim start performance

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) on swim start performance and lower body power performance after different warm-up protocols. Ten male national-level swimmers performed three different warm-ups: (i) a swim-specific warm-up (SW, control protocol); (ii) PAPE (an experimental protocol); and (iii) SW followed by PAPE (SW + PAPE, an experimental protocol). PAPE consisted of performing three series of 5 drop jumps. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant differences between the protocols in the swim start performance (F = 8.89; P < 0.001) and countermovement jump (F = 2.22; P = 0.047). SW + PAPE induced greater improvements in swim start time to 15 m (ES = − 0.47, P = 0.017) and entry time (ES = − 1.83, P < 0.001), the countermovement jump reactive strength index modified (ES = − 1.83, P < 0.001), eccentric rate of force development (ES = 0.69, P = 0.047), and index of explosive strength (ES = 0.94, P = 0.005) compared to SW. The current findings of this study indicate that the drop jump PAPE protocol, in addition to SW, is an effective tool because it could improve athletes' capacity for a more efficient swim start and their countermovement jump performance. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that PAPE induced by drop jumps could be time-efficient and practically applicable in facilities with limited resources.

Swimming Warm-Up and Beyond: Dryland Protocols and Their Related Mechanisms—A Scoping Review

“…The results of this study [86] showed improvements in mean and peak vertical forces, which resulted in an improvement of the resultant take-off velocity which may be due to a greater stimulation in the front leg by the eccentric overload [33]. Two recent studies obtained similar results but without using sophisticated equipment [40,87]. In the study of Waddingham et al [40], a 400-m varied pace in-water warm-up that included 2 × 15-m maximal swim starts, was compared to the same warm-up followed by: i) 3 × 3 resistance bands squat protocol (loads between 27.2 -68 kg; ii) 3 × 3 weighted jump squats (15% bodyweight), and; iii) 2 × 5 drop jumps from a box [40].…”

Usefulness of Surface Electromyography Complexity Analyses to Assess the Effects of Warm-Up and Stretching during Maximal and Sub-Maximal Hamstring Contractions: A Cross-Over, Randomized, Single-Blind Trial

“…The present study confirmed this most-desired effects since knee flexion torque was significantly increased after the warm-up. Such result is often obtained in the literature with various conditioning exercises on single joint or whole-body outcomes [ 1 , 46 , 47 ]. In contrast, our results indicated maximal torque returned to baseline after stretching whatever the modality applied (static or neurodynamic nerve gliding technique).…”

The sex effects on changes in jump performance following an isometric back squat conditioning activity in trained adults

“…PAPE could have significance in sports competitions and training ( Boullosa, 2021 ; Villalon-Gasch et al, 2022 ; Đurović et al, 2022 ), although there is still much to discover. Many factors can influence the PAPE effect, various protocols can be utilized ( Seitz and Haff, 2016 ; Dobbs et al, 2019 ), and greater difficulty can be added to increase variability and individualize the PAPE response ( Till & Cooke, 2009 ).…”

“…Furthermore, it is important to use a conditioning activity (CA) with a movement pattern related to the target effort, such as a squat for a jump ( Seitz and Haff, 2016 ; Blazevich & Babault, 2019 ; Boullosa, 2021 ). Many authors have developed effective conditioning protocols based on dynamic and isometric actions, although the latter is rarely used ( Rixon et al, 2007 ; Guerra et al, 2022 ; Pereira et al, 2022 ; Đurović et al, 2022 ).…”