Post‐Activation Potentiation Increases Recruitment of Fast Twitch Fibers: A Potential Practical Application in Runners

Abstract

To determine the relationship between fatigue and post-activation potentiation, we examined the effects of sub-maximal continuous running on neuromuscular function tests, as well as on the squat jump and counter movement jump in endurance athletes. The height of the squat jump and counter movement jump and the estimate of the fast twitch fiber recruiting capabilities were assessed in seven male middle distance runners before and after 40 min of continuous running at an intensity corresponding to the individual lactate threshold. The same test was then repeated after three weeks of specific aerobic training. Since the three variables were strongly correlated, only the estimate of the fast twitch fiber was considered for the results. The subjects showed a significant improvement in the fast twitch fiber recruitment percentage after the 40 min run. Our data show that submaximal physical exercise determined a change in fast twitch muscle fiber recruitment patterns observed when subjects performed vertical jumps; however, this recruitment capacity was proportional to the subjects’ individual fast twitch muscle fiber profiles measured before the 40 min run. The results of the jump tests did not change significantly after the three-week training period. These results suggest that pre-fatigue methods, through sub-maximal exercises, could be used to take advantage of explosive capacity in middle-distance runners.

Post-activation performance enhancement strategies in sport: a brief review for practitioners

“…The rationale for this stands on the recognized mediation role of training background and experience on PAPE responses in both power [14] and endurance [55] athletes. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one study [56] showing differences in vertical jump performances after a 40-minute running at the anaerobic threshold, before and after a 3-week specific training period in well-trained runners. The authors suggested a change in the muscle fibre recruitment pattern after the training period; however, these results should be taken with caution as all the dependent variables were estimated from jump performance and not directly measured with electromyography [56].…”

Effects of a commercially available branched-chain amino acid-alanine-carbohydrate-based sports supplement on perceived exertion and performance in high intensity endurance cycling tests

“…Prior (3 days before) to the pre-and post-training experimental sessions, each subject performed an incremental test to assess individual VO 2max , W peak , W LT1 and W LT2 . Male [36,38]. W peak was calculated as follows:…”

The effects of functional training on physical fitness and skill-related performance among basketball players: a systematic review

“…The compound exercises in the FT programs among the included studies such as squats ( Zuo, 2018 ), push-ups ( Usgu et al, 2020 ), and Bulgarian bag exercises ( Hany, 2017 ) work several muscle groups simultaneously, which are more effective in building overall strength compared to isolation exercises. The plyometrics in FT programs such as depth jumps and box jumps ( Zuo, 2018 ) help develop the fast-twitch muscle fibres, which are responsible for producing power and strength during quick, intense movements ( Gervasi et al, 2018 ). Overall, given only a few studies examined the effects of FT on muscular strength, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions with further investigations needed to confirm these initial findings.…”