Skip to main content
Log in

Post-Activation Potentiation

Underlying Physiology and Implications for Motor Performance

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The response of muscle to volitional or electrically induced stimuli is affected by its contractile history. Fatigue is the most obvious effect of contractile history reflected by the inability of a muscle to generate an expected level of force. However, fatigue can coexist with post-activation potentiation (PAP), which serves to improve muscular performance, especially in endurance exercise and activities involving speed and power. The measured response of muscular performance following some form of contractile activity is the net balance between processes that cause fatigue and the simultaneous processes that result in potentiation. Optimal performance occurs when fatigue has subsided but the potentiated effect still exists. PAP has been demonstrated using electrically induced twitch contractions and attributed to phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chains, which makes actin and myosin more sensitive to Ca2+. The potentiated state has also been attributed to an increase in α-motoneuron excitability as reflected by changes in the H-reflex. However, the significance of PAP to functional performance has not been well established.

A number of recent studies have applied the principles of PAP to short-term motor performance as well as using it as a rationale for producing long-term neuromuscular changes through complex training. Complex training is a training strategy that involves the execution of a heavy resistance exercise (HRE) prior to performing an explosive movement with similar biomechanical characteristics, referred to as a complex pair. The complex pair is then repeated for a number of sets and postulated that over time will produce long-term changes in the ability of a muscle to generate power. The results of these studies are equivocal at this time and, in fact, no training studies have actually been undertaken. The discrepancies among the results of the various studies is due in part to differences in methodology and design, with particular reference to the mode and intensity of the HRE, the length of the rest interval within and between the complex pairs, the type of explosive activity, the training history of the participants, and the nature of the dependent variables. In addition, few of the applied studies have actually included measures of twitch response or H-reflex to determine if the muscles of interest are potentiated. There is clearly more research required in order to clarify the functional significance of PAP and, in particular, the efficacy of complex training in producing long-term neuromuscular adaptations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Table I

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rassier DE, MacIntosh BR. Coexistence of potentiation and fatigue in skeletal muscle. Braz J Med Biol Res 2000; 33 (5): 499–508

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Sale DG. Postactivation potentiation: role in human performance. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2002; 30 (3): 138–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Vandenboom R, Grange RW, Houston ME. Threshold for force potentiation associated with skeletal myosin phosphorylation. Am J Physiol 1993; 265 (6 Pt 1): C1456–62

    Google Scholar 

  4. Enoka RM, Hutton RS, Eldred E. Changes in excitability of tendon tap and Hoffmann reflexes following voluntary contractions. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1980; 48 (6): 664–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gollhofer A, Schopp A, Rapp W, et al. Changes in reflex excitability following isometric contraction in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1998; 77 (1–2): 89–97

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Güillich A, Schmidtbleicher D. MVC-induced short-term potentiation of explosive force. N Stud Athlet 1996; 11 (4): 67–81

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hultborn H, Illert M, Nielsen J, et al. On the mechanism of the post-activation depression of the H-reflex in human subjects. Exp Brain Res 1996; 108 (3): 450–62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Trimble MH, Harp SS. Postexercise potentiation of the H-reflex in humans. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998; 30 (6): 933–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. van Boxtel A. Differential effects of low-frequency depression, vibration-induced inhibition, and posttetanic potentiation on H-reflexes and tendon jerks in the human soleus muscle. J Neurophysiol 1986; 55 (3): 551–68

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Baker D. The effect of alternating heavy and light resistances on power output during upper-body complex power training. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (3): 493–7

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Chiu LZ, Fry AC, Weiss LW, et al. Postactivation potentiation response in athletic and recreationally trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (4): 671–7

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Duthie GM, Young WB, Aitken DA. The acute effects of heavy loads on jump squat performance: an evaluation of the complex and contrast methods of power development. J Strength Cond Res 2002; 16 (4): 530–8

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. French DN, Kraemer WJ, Cooke CB. Changes in dynamic exercise performance following a sequence of preconditioning isometric muscle actions. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (4): 678–85

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Gossen ER, Sale DG. Effect of postactivation potentiation on dynamic knee extension performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 2000; 83 (6): 524–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Gourgoulis V, Aggeloussis N, Kasimatis P, et al. Effect of a submaximal half-squats warm-up program on vertical jumping ability. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (2): 342–4

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Hrysomallis C, Kidgell D. Effect of heavy dynamic resistive exercise on acute upper-body power. J Strength Cond Res 2001; 15 (4): 426–30

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Jensen RL, Ebben WP. Kinetic analysis of complex training rest interval effect on vertical jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (2): 345–9

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Jones P, Lees A. A biomechanical analysis of the acute effects of complex training using lower limb exercises. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (4): 694–700

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Scott S, Docherty D. Acute effects of heavy pre-loading on vertical and horizontal jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 2004 May; 18 (2): 201–5

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Young WB, Jenner A, Griffiths K. Acute enhancement of power performance from heavy load squats. J Strength Cond Res 1998; 12 (2): 82–8

    Google Scholar 

  21. Latash ML. Neurophysiological basis of movement. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 1998

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hamada T, Sale DG, MacDougall JD, et al. Postactivation potentiation, fiber type, and twitch contraction time in human knee extensor muscles. J Appl Physiol 2000; 88 (6): 2131–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Vandervoort AA, Quinlan J, McComas AJ. Twitch potentiation after voluntary contraction. Exp Neurol 1983; 81 (1): 141–52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. O’Leary DD, Hope K, Sale DG. Posttetanic potentiation of human dorsiflexors. J Appl Physiol 1997; 83 (6): 2131–8

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. MacIntosh BR, Willis JC. Force-frequency relationship and potentiation in mammalian skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 2000; 88 (6): 2088–96

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Grange RW, Vandenboom R, Houston ME. Physiological significance of myosin phosphorylation in skeletal muscle. Can J Appl Physiol 1993; 18 (3): 229–42

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Sweeney HL, Bowman BF, Stull JT. Myosin light chain phosphorylation in vertebrate striated muscle: regulation and function. Am J Physiol 1993; 264 (5 Pt 1): C1085–95

    Google Scholar 

  28. Abbate F, Sargeant AJ, Verdijk PW, et al. Effects of high-frequency initial pulses and posttetanic potentiation on power output of skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 2000; 88 (1): 35–40

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Vandervoort AA, McComas AJ. A comparison of the contractile properties of the human gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1983; 51 (3): 435–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. van Cutsem M, Duchateau J, Hainaut K. Changes in single motor unit behaviour contribute to the increase in contraction speed after dynamic training in humans. J Physiol 1998; 513 (Pt 1): 295–305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Burke D, Gandevia SC, McKeon B. Monosynaptic and oligosynaptic contributions to human ankle jerk and H-reflex. J Neurophysiol 1984; 52 (3): 435–48

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Zehr PE. Considerations for use of the Hoffmann reflex in exercise studies. Eur J Appl Physiol 2002; 86 (6): 455–68

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Crone C, Nielsen J. Methodological implications of the post activation depression of the soleus H-reflex in man. Exp Brain Res 1989; 78 (1): 28–32

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Corrie WS, Hardin WB. Post-tetanic potentiation of H reflex in man; quantitative study. Arch Neurol 1964; 11: 317–23

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Kitago T, Mazzocchio R, Liuzzi G, et al. Modulation of H-reflex excitability by tetanic stimulation. Clin Neurophysiol 2004 Apr; 115 (4): 858–61

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Zucker RS, Regehr WG. Short-term synaptic plasticity. Annu Rev Physiol 2002; 64: 355–405

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hugon M. Methodology of the Hoffmann reflex in man. In: Desmedt JE, editor. New developments in electromyography and clinical neurophysiology. Basel: Karger, 1973, 3277–93

    Google Scholar 

  38. Misiaszek JE. The H-reflex as a tool in neurophysiology: its limitations and uses in understanding nervous system function. Muscle Nerve 2003; 28 (2): 144–60

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Henneman E, Somjen G, Carpenter DO. Excitability and inhibitability of motoneurons of different sizes. J Neurophysiol 1965; 28 (3): 599–620

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Tubman LA, MacIntosh BR, Maki WA. Myosin light chain phosphorylation and posttetanic potentiation in fatigued skeletal muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 1996; 431: 882–7

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Docherty.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hodgson, M., Docherty, D. & Robbins, D. Post-Activation Potentiation. Sports Med 35, 585–595 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535070-00004

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535070-00004

Keywords

Navigation