Impact of an Activation Protocol on Jump and Acceleration Performance in High Jump Athletes

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the improvement in performance in jumping and acceleration actions of high jumpers, induced by a warm-up that included a PAPE stimulus based on a squat exercise with a load moved at an average propulsive velocity of 0.8 m/s. Twenty high jumpers (age: 20.8 ± 0.5 years) were divided according to strength levels into a strong group (GF: n = 10) and a weak group (GD: n = 10). The participants completed a control condition (PAPE0), after 10min of rest, a specific warm-up consisting of squats with a load moved at an average propulsive velocity of 0.8 m/s (PAPE100) was performed. After PAPE100, and following a 4-minute recovery, a CMJ test was conducted. In another session, the same protocol was followed, including the acceleration test over 5 (5M) and 10 meters (10M). The main findings showed better performance in CMJ, 5M, and 10M after PAPE100 compared to PAPE0 (p < 0.05). No significant performance improvements were observed when comparing GF with GD. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed when comparing the CMJ jump test with 5M and 10M. In conclusion, warm-up protocols using PAPE100 loads can improve jumping and acceleration performance, regardless of participants' strength levels.