Variable Resistance—An Efficient Method to Generate Muscle Potentiation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Variable resistance (VR) is a methodology that has shown good results in developing muscular strength and power. However, no updated information relates to the use of VR as an activation to trigger post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE). The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to review and qualitatively describe studies published between 2012 and 2022 that used VR to generate PAPE in muscle power-dominant sports. The secondary objective was to calculate the effect size of the different power outcomes reported in the selected studies. The search was designed following the PRISMA® guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and performed in the Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and MEDLINE between 2012 and 2022. The methodological quality and risk of bias were evaluated with the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The main variables were the throwing speed, time in sprint tests, and jump height. The analysis was conducted with a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) through a Hedges’ g test (95% CI). Twenty-two studies were included in the systematic review and ten in the meta-analysis, revealing a trivial effect for throwing speed (SMD = 0.06; CI = 95%: −0.23–0.35; p = 0.69), a small effect for the time in sprint tests (SMD = −0.37; CI = 95%: −0.72–−0.02; p = 0.04), and a moderate effect for jump height (SMD = 0.55; CI = 95%: 0.29–0.81; p ˂ 0.0001). All forms of VR used for neuromuscular activation effectively triggered PAPE. Specifically, the results showed that activation with VR generates performance increases in time, in sprint tests and jump height, and a trivial effect in throwing tests (speed and distance).

The effects of multiple factors on post-activation potentiation and performance enhancement: a narrative review

“…Significant increases (P < .05) in CMJ height (5.3% -6.5%), maximum power (4.4% -5.9%), force development velocity (12.9% -19.1%), concentric knee angular velocity (3.1% -4.1%) and mean concentric vastus lateralis activity (27.5% -33.4%) were found at all time points following VR. The study described above was confirmed in a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Huerta Ojeda et al 110 which examined the effects of VR on muscle power in sports requiring explosive performance. Studies published between 2012 and 2022 were analyzed, assessing methodological quality and risk of bias.…”

“…One such precaution is that the elastic should offer resistance and, therefore, be in maximum tension at the start of the movement and that it loses the resistance it offers at the sticking point. Currently, studies can be found in the literature demonstrating the effectiveness of this methodology for the manifestation of PAP, showing that through the use of accommodating resistance, the phenomenon can be manifested with recovery times between the conditioning activity and the subsequent explosive activity [108][109][110] . Mina et al 109 compared the effects of using squats with or without elastic bands on vertical jump performance.…”

Accommodating resistance is more effective than free weight resistance to induce post-activation performance enhancement in squat jump performance after a short rest interval

“…Considering PAPE research, the authors show particular interest in a combination of free weight resistance and accommodating resistance 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 that was proven to be effective in generating muscle potentiation. 31 However, the researchers seem to focus in their studies solely on accommodating resistance - a training method that involves using elastic bands or chains and challenges athletes to constantly accelerate through a given range of motion. 32 Only four studies compared the accommodating resistance with other types of resistance: two with isoinertial resistance 22 , 25 and two with traditional free weight resistance.…”

No effects of post-activation performance enhancement in elite male volleyball players under complex training

“…Current PAPE research indicates that various PAPE protocols may be implemented and acutely enhance subsequent post-CA performance. The authors introduced and found beneficial effects of various application methods such as isometric CA 12 , 13 , traditional resistance 3 , 14 , accommodating resistance 15 , 16 or flywheel devices 17 . The approach to evaluate PAPE responses may differ between the protocols—the post-CA explosive exercise may be introduced after a single set of a CA 18 , after multiple sets of the same CA 19 or between each set of the same CA 20 .…”