Comparing the effects of different post-activation potentiation protocols on physical performance in soccer players

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the acute effects of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) protocols, performed through resisted (with 5-6 kg resistance bands) and unresisted (bodyweight) vertical jump exercises, on sprint and jump performance in U17 football players. Methods: A total of 27 male football players (age: 15,93±0,78 years; height: 173,89±5,87 cm; body mass: 61,07±7,98 kg; training age: 5,11±0,89 years), all of whom had been training regularly and had a minimum of four years of sports experience, voluntarily participated in the study. The research employed a randomized crossover experimental design, in which each participant was exposed to both resisted and unresisted PAPE protocols in randomised order. Before and after each protocol, participants underwent 10-m acceleration (S10m), 20-m sprint (S20m), vertical jump, and horizontal jump tests. The PAPE protocol consisted of 3 sets of 10 vertical jumps, 30 seconds of rest between sets, and a 5-minute passive recovery period. Results: The findings indicated that the resisted PAPE protocol led to statistically significant and small improvements in S10m (p= 0,026, %Δ= -2,48, g= -0,432), S20m (p= 0,030, %Δ= -1,36, g= -0,278), and vertical jump performance (p= 0,002, %Δ= 6,17, g= 0,439). Both protocols yielded significant improvements in horizontal jump performance, with the resisted protocol producing a greater effect size (p<0,001, %Δ= 6,68, g= 0,672) compared to the unresisted protocol. However, the effect of the unresisted protocol on vertical jump height was not statistically significant (p= 0,706, %Δ= 0,72, g= 0,047). Conclusion: The resisted PAPE protocol involving vertical jump exercises with resistance bands has the potential to acutely enhance 10-meter acceleration, 20-meter sprint, and both vertical and horizontal jump performances in adolescent football players. These findings suggest that resisted PAPE strategies are an effective and practical ergogenic approach in training programs aiming for short-term performance enhancement.