The effect of post activation potentiation on anaerobic power performance of lower extremity and handspring performance on the vault table in artistic gymnasts

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of post activation potentiation (PAP) on the performance of anaerobic power, vertical jump height, standing long jump and hand over movement distance in jumping table apparatus in artistic gymnasts. For this purpose, research, located in Turkey Artistic Gymnastics National Team, aged between 18-30, international experience with a total of 15 elite men (n=6) and women (n=9) participated voluntarily in artistic gymnastics (2019/157). The maximal, pre-test and post-test measurements were taken on separate days for the athletes to make vertical jump, long jump and handspring on the vault table. In the pre-test phase, the vertical jump, long jump and handspring on the vault table athletes were measured twice for each movement and the best value was recorded. For posttest measurements, the athletes were given a maximum of 5 repetitive squat movements in 80% of their maximal weight. After passive resting for 3 minutes the vertical jump, long jump and the handspring on the vault table instrument were measured 2 times and the measurement results were recorded separately for each athlete. The results of the vertical jump height were placed separately in the peak power formula for each athlete and anaerobic power values were calculated. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS 20 package program. Wilcoxon test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test values of the measurement results. Mann Whitney-U test was used to compare the measurement results of male and female subjects. As a result of the research; There was a statistically significant difference for hand-over movement distance from female subjects (p <0.05). In female subjects, PAP application had a positive effect on the distance of hand-over movement. It was observed PAP application had no effect on anaerobic power performance of lower aggregate for artistic gymnast. Keywords: Post-activation potentiation, gymnastics, handspring.