Post Activation Potentiation Effect of Different Preloading Protocols on Sprint Performance

This study aimed to investigate the post-activation potentiation effects of different pre-loading protocols involving blood flow-restricted plyometric jumps on sprint performance. In this randomized crossover experimental study, 15 athletes with at least seven years of sporting experience participated voluntarily. Participants underwent several anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage) as well as performance measurements (10-meter and 20-meter sprints). The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The effect size and percentage changes are reported to illustrate the practical significance of the differences. Cohen's d test was used to determine the effect size. Differences between repeated measures data were analyzed using repeated-measures one-way ANOVA. Tukey’s post hoc test was used to determine the protocols responsible for the differences. The eta-squared (η²) value was used to express the effect size. The significance level was set at p=0.05, with 95% confidence interval. In conclusion, all pre-loading protocols demonstrated a positive post-activation potentiation effect on sprint performance. However, the greatest potentiating effect was observed with the pre-loading protocol involving blood flow-restricted plyometric jumps with a weighted vest.