Intermittent exercise as a conditioning activity to induce postactivation potentiation.

Full Abstract

Postactivation potentiation (PAP) is defined as a short-term increase in voluntary muscle activation following a previous conditioning activity (CA). Controversy about PAP is mostly attributed to the characteristics of the CA and the training status of the subjects. While some studies have found that PAP can be induced by series of 5-10 second maximal voluntary isometric contractions or near maximal dynamic contractions (e.g., 3-5 repetition maximum), others have failed to do so. On the other hand, some studies suggest that intermittent contractions can also induce PAP. However, even though PAP was observed, its duration was not taken into account, leaving ground for further investigations. The purpose of this study was threefold: (a) to verify if PAP can progressively enhance performance of voluntary actions throughout a set of intermittent contractions; (b) to verify PAP duration when induced by an intermittent contractions protocol; and (c) to verify if PAP effects were reproducible in different sessions when induced by intermittent contractions. Ten physically active men, not engaged in strength training, underwent 5 randomized experimental sessions, during which they performed a set of 10 unilateral knee extensions (KE) (1 every 30 seconds) at 60 degrees x s(-1) in an isokinetic dynamometer. Peak torque was evaluated over the 10 unilateral KE and at the randomized intervals of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 minutes post CA. Peak torque was potentiated 1.3 (+/-0.79) N x m per unilateral KE, and the potentiation effect persisted for 12 minutes after the last contraction. These findings were reproduced in all 5 experimental sessions. Thus, intermittent conditioning activities seem to be an effective way to produce PAP. However, these activities should be tested in a more real world situation to verify the applicability as a warm-up routine.

Author information

Author/s: Batista, Mauro A B (MA); Ugrinowitsch, Carlos (C); Roschel, Hamilton (H); Lotufo, Renato (R); Ricard, Mark D (MD); Tricoli, Valmor A A (VA);

Affiliation: Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association (J Strength Cond Res), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Aug; vol 21 (issue 3) : pp 837-40

Dates: Created 2007/08/09; Completed 2007/11/08; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 17685706, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.