The Effects of Post-Activation Potentiation on Vertical Jump and EMG in Collegiate Football Players

Post-activation potentiation is the notion that power in an athlete will be increased for a period of time after a near-maximal lift. Such increases in power can provide an athlete with improved performance. This study was designed to determine if performing a near-maximal squat improved an athlete’s vertical jump and increased electrical activity in the rectus femoris. 17 collegiate football players performed baseline testing which included: vertical jump (VJ) with assessment of muscular electrical activity using electromyography (EMG) followed by determination of back squat one repetition maximum (1RM) weight. Participants were then randomly assigned to perform either their 3RM or 5RM back squat prior to VJ testing the next week. These maxes were calculated based on their 1RM. Following completion of their 3RM or 5RM, participants would passively rest for four minutes before performing their first VJ. Each participant was allowed three trials to accomplish their highest jump. The participant would then passively rest for another four minutes and jump again at eight minutes post-squat. During the final testing session participants completed the other remaining squatting protocol (3RM or 5RM) that they had not yet completed prior to VJ testing. It was hypothesized that both 3RM and 5RM would improve the participants’ VJ and increase electrical activity in the rectus femoris compared to baseline. Further, it was hypothesized that the 3RM would improve performance the most. Results of the study are forthcoming