Date of Award
Summer 6-2-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (EdD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
Post activation potentiation is the short increase of power output following a heavy exercise. This effect could be due to several mechanisms, the most popular are increased sensitivity of actin and myosin to calcium or alpha motoneuron reactivity. The idea behind using the accommodating resistance is that eccentrics get lighter throughout the movement to avoid sticking points whilst changing the strength curve of the exercise. This may cause a greater stretch reflex and create more force from the weakest position of the movement because of the eccentrics being quicker also known as. Using accommodating resistance may also be less fatiguing than using free weights because of the lightened loads at the most difficult positions of the movement which can affect acute performance. More simply if we can move faster, we can generate more force, which will then translate into more neurological stimulus for PAP. Comparing two different PAP protocols of similar loads using free weights or a combination of accommodating resistance (band tension) and free weights can give practical application that one protocol may yield a greater PAP effect. The participants used in this study were all recreational and competitive powerlifters capable of squatting at least 1.5 times bodyweight. They each performed barbell back squats to a box as well as performed seated broad jumps to measure potentiation within three separate visits each measuring baseline, with accommodating resistance and with straight free weights. The results of the study suggest that there is a great amount of variability between participants in terms of how much they potentiate based on load type and that the type of load used for PAP protocols should be based off of individual preference rather than broad protocols.