P1: POST- ACTIVATION POTENTIATION (PAP)

In many sporting event, strength is required for the body to produce movement using force against a physical object. Muscular strength can be defined as at a specific velocity, maximum force is generated by a group of muscles or a muscle (Knuttgen and Kraemer 1987). Training muscular strength would allow the individual to increase maximal force production. Research indicates that strength (resistance) training is an important aspect in enhancing an individual’s sporting performance (Harries, Lubans and Callister, 2012). Kraemer, Fleck and Evans (1996) reported in their study that the human body responds to strength training with adaptations occurring at the neuromuscular system. As a result, researchers (Hilfiker et al., 2007; Ozmum, Mikesky and Surburg, 1993) found that motor unit activity patterns enhanced in aspect such as an increase in motor unit requirement. The benefit of increased motor unit synchronization allows an individual to perform complex movements. This is due to an increase of the rate of force development at a muscle during voluntary contraction to produce greater force (Semmler, 2002). Although, these neural adaptation result in muscular strength increase to produce a greater amount of force, Power and Howley (2001) suggested that these changes to the body occur between eight and twenty weeks of training to see results. Therefore, in terms of performing in a competition, strength training requires a lengthening period for the individual to perfume at their optimal performance.

However, recent studies have mentioned a concept known as Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) that has generated popularity over years to develop force production, ultimately increasing power output (Lorenz, 2011; Horwath and Kravitz, 200...

... middle of paper ...

...tween the 5 maximum jumps, participant had a 30 s passive recovery before doing the next to prevent fatigue affecting results. Once the 5 maximal SVJ were completed for the control treatment, the participant then went to perform on the leg press machine to establish their 5RM. After establishing their 5RM, participant then rested for a further 30 minutes before performing the Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) treatment. For the PAP treatment, once the participants rested for 30mins, they then went to conduct their 5RM on the leg press machine. Straight after conducting the 5RM, the participant then performed the 5 maximal SVJ in the same protocol as in the control treatment. This process is also known as the complex training. After each result gathered from the SVJ in both treatment conditions for each participant, the data collected was saved on Microsoft excel.