A Mechanistic Perspective on Post-Activation Performance Enhancement Responsiveness: A Randomized Controlled Study of Acute Changes in Muscle Architecture, Contractile Property Kinetics, and Muscle Excitability

Launched by THE JERZY KUKUCZKA ACADEMY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN KATOWICE · May 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study in Katowice, Poland, is looking at why a short burst of heavy exercise just before jumping might boost a football player’s jump height. It compares two warm-ups in healthy male players aged 18–23: (1) a brief set of two to three half-squats at about 90% of what they can lift in one effort, and (2) a 5-minute easy jog on a treadmill. Researchers will measure how high the jump goes and several muscle and nerve signals right after the warm-up and then again over the next 12 minutes, to see how the body responds. They’ll also try to link these responses to the player’s muscle fiber composition (fast vs slow fibers) to understand why some players might gain more jump boost than others.

Eligible participants are healthy, biologically male football players aged 18–23 who train at least three times per week and have no recent lower‑body injuries or health conditions that would affect testing. If you take part, you’ll do baseline jump and muscle tests, ultrasound and other noninvasive assessments, then be randomly assigned to one of the two warm-ups. You’ll repeat all tests immediately after the warm-up and at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 minutes afterward. The study is designed to keep participants and outcome assessors unaware of which warm-up was used. The trial is currently enrolling by invitation and aims to enroll about 44 participants, with completion expected in mid-2025.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male football players aged 18-23 years
• • Minimum of 3 structured training sessions per week for the past 6 months
• • No history of lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., ligament sprain, muscle tear) within the past 2 months
• • No diagnosed dermatological conditions affecting electrode placement (e.g., psoriasis, eczema)
• • No cardiovascular disease (e.g., hypertension, arrhythmia)
• • No neuromuscular disorders (e.g., neuropathy, myopathy) on clinical examination
• • Able to complete a 1RM half-squat protocol and countermovement jump without pain
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Use of performance-enhancing supplements/medications within 2 weeks prior to enrollment
• • Missed more than 4 scheduled training sessions per month over the past 2 months
• • Blood pressure \>140/90 mmHg at rest or resting heart rate \>90 bpm
• • Any contraindication to electrical stimulation (e.g., pacemaker, implanted metal device)
• • Failure to provide written informed consent or withdrawal of consent at any time