Isometric vs. Dynamic Squat Pre-Loading: Acute PAPE Responses (IPP vs DPP)

July 6, 2026 updated by: Neslihan AKÇAY, Karabuk University

Acute Post-Activation Performance Responses to Isometric and Dynamic Squat Pre-Loading Protocols: A Randomized Crossover Trial

This randomized crossover study compared the acute post-activation performance responses to isometric and dynamic squat-based preconditioning protocols performed with and without electromyostimulation (EMS). Participants completed five randomized experimental conditions: maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), dynamic contraction (DC), MVIC+EMS, DC+EMS, and EMS only (O-EMS). Baseline and post-intervention assessments included countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJWH), zig-zag agility, and shooting speed, with post-tests conducted after a 4-minute recovery period. Perceptual responses, including ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived discomfort (RPD), and fatigue (VAS), were recorded immediately after each protocol. All sessions were conducted between 14:00 and 16:00 under standardized conditions, with protocol order randomized and participants instructed to avoid strenuous exercise and food intake before testing.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study aimed to compare the acute post-activation performance responses to isometric and dynamic squat-based preconditioning protocols, with and without EMS. All testing sessions were conducted between 14:00 and 16:00 to minimize the potential effects of circadian rhythms and fatigue on performance. The study was conducted using a randomized, crossover design. On the remaining five experimental days, the order of the protocols was randomized for each participant using a computer-generated randomization sequence (randomizer.org) to reduce order effects. During the first session, participants' anthropometric measurements were recorded, their one-repetition maximum (1RM) back squat loads were determined, and they were familiarized with the equipment and testing procedures. Participants completed five separate experimental sessions consisting of the following conditions: [A] Isometric Contraction + EMS (MVIC-EMS), [B] Dynamic Contraction + EMS (DC-EMS), [C] Dynamic Contraction (DC), [D] Isometric Contraction (MVIC), and [E] Only EMS (O-EMS). Before each experimental protocol, baseline measurements were obtained using countermovement jump (CMJ), CMJ with hands (CMJWH), zig-zag agility test, and shooting speed assessments. After each protocol, all tests were repeated after a 4-minute rest period (Chen et al., 2023). Under all conditions, the electrodes were placed identically by the same experienced researcher. Subsequently, players' shooting speeds were measured using a radar gun, with two trials performed and the highest value recorded. Immediately after each experimental protocol, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived discomfort (RPD), and perceived fatigue level were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and recorded. Participants were instructed to refrain from food intake for 1.5 hours before testing, to avoid resistance training throughout the study period, and were verbally encouraged during all testing sessions.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
22

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Neslihan Akçay, Doctorate

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Turkey
      • Karabük, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye), 78200
        • Karabuk University
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Neslihan Akçay, Doctorate
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Cem Sofuoğlu
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Wolfgang Kemmler, Prof.Dr.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Andre Filipovic, Prof.Dr.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Metehan Yana, Doctorate
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Erşan Arslan, Prof.Dr.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Being healthy
  • Male volleyball athletes
  • Willing to maintain the intervention for all sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Being under 18 years old
  • Having a chronic disease
  • Contraindications for exercise

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Condition 1
Dynamic contraction
Other: dynamic conraction
Participants performed a dynamic back squat conditioning protocol on a Smith machine consisting of five sets of one repetition at 90% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 1 min of passive recovery between sets. Each repetition included a controlled descent to approximately 90° of knee flexion, an explosive concentric phase, a 2-s isometric hold at full knee extension, and a slow, controlled eccentric phase (Pincivero et al.). All repetitions were supervised to ensure proper technique. The protocol was selected based on previous evidence supporting high-intensity resistance exercise as an effective conditioning activity for inducing PAPE responses (Dobbs et al.).
Experimental: Condition 2
isometric contraction
Other: isometric contraction
The isometric contraction protocol was conducted as described by Koźlenia and Domaradzki (2023) and Lim and Kong (2013). Participants assumed a squat position in a squat rack with the barbell fixed in place and the knee joint positioned at approximately 90° of flexion (Profitness 1030, Türkiye). The barbell was secured to the rack using safety pins, and participants were instructed to exert maximal force against the immovable bar to produce a MVIC. Each contraction lasted 3 seconds, and a total of 3 repetitions were performed with 2 min of rest between repetitions (Koźlenia & Domaradzki, 2023; Lim & Kong, 2013).
Experimental: Condition 3
Dynamic + EMS contraction
Other: dynamic and EMS contraction
Participants performed a dynamic back squat conditioning protocol on a Smith machine consisting of five sets of one repetition at 90% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 1 min of passive recovery between sets. In the DC-EMS condition, electromyostimulation (EMS) was applied simultaneously throughout the conditioning protocol. Each repetition included a controlled descent to approximately 90° of knee flexion, an explosive concentric phase, a 2-s isometric hold at full knee extension, and a slow, controlled eccentric phase (Pincivero et al.). All repetitions were supervised to ensure proper technique. The protocol was selected based on previous evidence supporting high-intensity resistance exercise as an effective conditioning activity for inducing PAPE responses (Dobbs et al.).
Experimental: Condition 4
Isometric + EMS Contraction
Other: isometric and EMS conraction
The isometric contraction protocol was conducted as described by Koźlenia and Domaradzki (2023) and Lim and Kong (2013). Participants assumed a squat position in a squat rack with the barbell fixed in place and the knee joint positioned at approximately 90° of flexion (Profitness 1030, Türkiye). The barbell was secured to the rack using safety pins, and participants were instructed to exert maximal force against the immovable bar to produce an MVIC. Each contraction lasted 3 seconds, and a total of three repetitions were performed with 2 min of rest between repetitions (Koźlenia & Domaradzki, 2023; Lim & Kong, 2013). In the MVIC-EMS condition, electromyostimulation (EMS) was applied simultaneously during each maximal voluntary isometric contraction.
Experimental: Condition 5
EMS contraction
Other: ems contraction
EMS was delivered bilaterally to the quadriceps using a portable stimulator (Compex Rehab 400, Compex Medical SA, Switzerland) with a biphasic symmetrical rectangular waveform (75 Hz, 450 μs). Four self-adhesive electrodes were placed over the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles of both legs. Participants remained seated for 10 min with the knees flexed at approximately 90° and the hips flexed at approximately 110°, while receiving EMS without performing any voluntary contractions. Stimulation intensity was gradually increased to the highest level tolerated by each participant and maintained throughout the intervention (Paillard et al., 2008; Sofuoğlu et al., 2025).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height
Time Frame: aseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition
Change in countermovement jump (CMJ) height (cm) from baseline to 4 minutes after each conditioning protocol, measured using a jump assessment system.
aseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition
Countermovement Jump with Arm Swing (CMJWH) Height
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition
Change in countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJWH) height (cm) from baseline to 4 minutes after each conditioning protocol.
Baseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition
Zig-Zag Agility Performance
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition
Change in zig-zag agility performance time (s) from baseline to 4 minutes after each conditioning protocol.
Baseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition
Shooting Speed
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition
Change in maximal shooting speed (km/h) from baseline to 4 minutes after each conditioning protocol, measured using a radar gun.
Baseline and 4 minutes after each experimental condition

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Time Frame: Immediately after each experimental condition
Rating of perceived exertion assessed immediately after each conditioning protocol using the Borg CR-10 scale.
Immediately after each experimental condition
Rating of Perceived Discomfort (RPD)
Time Frame: Immediately after each experimental condition
Rating of perceived discomfort assessed immediately after each conditioning protocol using the Borg CR-10 scale.
Immediately after each experimental condition
Perceived Fatigue
Time Frame: Immediately after each experimental condition
Perceived fatigue assessed immediately after each conditioning protocol using a visual analog scale (VAS).
Immediately after each experimental condition

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Karabuk University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Neslihan Akçay, Doctorate, Karabuk University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 5, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 6, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 6, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 6, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • UKarabuk-6

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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