Acute Effects of Different Warm-up Protocols on Sports Performance in Elite Male Collegiate Handball Players

The effects of resistance based post-activation performance enhancement on reaction time and change of direction in basketball players

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) intervention with 80% one repetition maximum (1RM) resistance on change of direction (COD) and reaction time (RT) in basketball players. This study sixteen male basketball players (mean age: 20.25 years, height: 1.88 m, weight: 80.75 kg, training age: 10.12 years) were included. For this study, participants attended 3 experimental sessions in the laboratory. Firstly, anthropometric measurements of the participants were taken, then RT and COD were familiarized respectively, and then 1RMs were determined. Then, the participants randomly completed the first and second sessions. In the first session, a 20-minute standard warm-up (Wup) was performed. After the participants rested passively for 3 minutes after the Wup, RT and COD tests were measured at 1-minute intervals, respectively. The results obtained were considered as the control condition. In the second session, participants rested passively for 3 minutes after performing the PAPE (80% of 1RM - 5 rep) protocol. After the rest period, participants performed RT and COD with a 1-minute interval, respectively. The data were analyzed separately for RT (visual, auditory, and mixed) and COD test results in terms of Wup and Wup+PAPE. At least 48 hours of rest was allowed between the first and second sessions to ensure that fatigue from the previous test session did not affect the results. Wilcoxon test results showed that PAPE significantly reduced visual RT (p < .005), mixed RT (p < 0.013), and COD (p < 0.001), but not auditory RT (p < 0.068). The findings showed that PAPE is an effective method to improve COD and RT performance in sports such as basketball, where success is achieved through fast-paced play.

Effects of Half-Time Re-Warm-Up With Core Strength Exercises on Subsequent Agility and Power Performance in Basketball Players

ABSTRACT

Yang, Y-R, Chen, C, Pan, C-H, Yen, S-Y, and Cheng, C-F. Effects of half-time re-warm-up with core strength exercises on subsequent agility and power performance in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): 62-69, 2025-This study investigated the effects of half-time re-warm-up (RW) comprising core strength exercise (CSE) on basketball players' subsequent power and change of direction (COD) performance. Twelve male collegiate basketball players were recruited to perform 3 conditions--CSE RW on a stable platform (STA) or an unstable platform (USTA) and passive rest (control, CON)--in randomized, counter-balanced order after a modified Loughborough intermittent shuttle test (LIST). The COD and power performance tests were administered before the LIST and after the interventions. Heart rate (HR) was continuously measured during each trial. Results showed significantly lower changes in T-test time in STA compared with CON (p < 0.05). Changes in countermovement jump height in STA were significantly higher than those in CON (p < 0.05). During the isometric midthigh pull test, changes in the maximum rate of force development (RFD) (p < 0.05), RFD in the range of 0-90 milliseconds (p < 0.05), 0-150 milliseconds (p < 0.05), 0-200 milliseconds (p < 0.05), and 0-250 milliseconds (p < 0.05), in STA were significantly higher than those in CON. In addition, RFD in the range of 0-150 milliseconds (p < 0.05) and 0-250 milliseconds (p < 0.05) in USTA was significantly higher than that in CON. The mean HR during USTA was significantly higher than that in STA and CON (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that CSE RW during halftime might prevent power and COD performance decline in the second half of a game, with practical implications for coaches and players.

Are Surface Electromyography Parameters Indicative of Post-Activation Potentiation/Post-Activation Performance Enhancement, in Terms of Twitch Potentiation and Voluntary Performance? A Systematic Review

The aim was to identify if surface electromyography (sEMG) parameters are indicative of post-activation potentiation (PAP)/post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), in terms of twitch potentiation and voluntary performance. Three databases were used in April 2024, with the following inclusion criteria: (a) original research, assessed in healthy human adults, and (b) sEMG parameters were measured. The exclusion criteria were (a) studies with no PAP/PAPE protocol and (b) non-randomized control trials. The following data were extracted: study characteristics/demographics, PAP/PAPE protocols, sEMG parameters, twitch/performance outcomes, and study findings. A modified physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale was used for quality assessment. Fifteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a total of 199 subjects, were included. The M-wave amplitude (combined with a twitch torque outcome) was shown to generally be indicative of PAP. The sEMG amplitudes (in some muscles) were found to be indicative of PAPE during ballistic movements, while a small decrease in the MdF (in certain muscles) was shown to reflect PAPE. Changes in the Hmax/Mmax ratio were found to contribute (temporally) to PAP, while the H-reflex amplitude was shown to be neither indicative of PAP nor PAPE. This review provides preliminary findings suggesting that certain sEMG parameters could be indicative of PAP/PAPE. However, due to limited studies, future research is warranted.

Acute Effects of Vibration Foam Rolling with Light and Moderate Pressure on Blood Pressure and Senior Fitness Test in Older Women

Vibration foam rolling (VR) can improve flexibility and sports performance. However, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and senior fitness test (SFT) responses induced by an acute VR session in older women are currently unknown. Fifteen healthy women (72.90 ± 4.32 years) completed three separated randomly sequenced experimental visits. During each visit, they started with a warm-up protocol (general warm up (GW): walking + static stretching (SS), SS + VR with light pressure (VRL), or SS + VR with moderate pressure (VRM)), and completed BP, HR, SFT measurements. The systolic BP increased significantly after all three warm up protocols (p < 0.05). Both VRL and VRM protocols induced statistically significant improvements (effect size range: 0.3-1.04, p < 0.05) in the senior fitness test (back scratch, 30 s chair stand, 30 s arm curl, and 8 foot up and go), as compared to the GW. In addition, the VRM showed greater improvement for the 2 min step test when comparing with the VRL. Therefore, including VR in a warm-up protocol can result in superior SFT performance enhancement than the GW does in healthy older women.