Post-Activation Potentiation and Jump Performance During and After Ramadan

Effects of Varied Post-Activation Potentiation Protocols on Countermovement Jump Performance in Muay Thai Athletes: A Comparative Study Between Ramadan and Post-Ramadan Periods

This study compared the acute effects of two post-activation potentiation protocols on jumping performance in male Muay Thai athletes during and after Ramadan. The investigators examined whether conditioning exercises performed at 60% or 80% of one-repetition maximum produced different effects on countermovement jump height, average power, and peak power.

Twenty male Muay Thai athletes were recruited, and 14 athletes completed all required study sessions. Each participant performed both protocols during Ramadan and again after Ramadan. The order of the protocols was randomized and counterbalanced. After a standardized warm-up, participants completed either 10 half-squat repetitions at 60% of one-repetition maximum or 5 half-squat repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum. Following a 5-minute recovery period, countermovement jump performance was assessed.

The study was designed to determine whether the intensity of the conditioning activity and the Ramadan period were associated with differences in explosive lower-body performance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This controlled, randomized, counterbalanced crossover study investigated the effects of two post-activation potentiation protocols on countermovement jump performance in male Muay Thai athletes during and after Ramadan fasting.

Twenty male Muay Thai athletes were initially recruited. Six participants did not complete all required sessions, and 14 participants completed the study and were included in the analysis. Participants had at least 2 years of Muay Thai training experience and experience participating in national-level competitions. All participants reported that they intended to observe Ramadan fasting during the Ramadan testing period.

Each participant attended four experimental sessions. The two conditioning protocols were performed during Ramadan and repeated after Ramadan. Sessions were conducted on non-consecutive days, with approximately 48 hours between testing sessions. The order of the 60% and 80% protocols was randomized and counterbalanced to reduce possible order and learning effects. Testing was generally performed at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Before the conditioning activity, participants completed a standardized 5-minute specific warm-up paced by a metronome set at 100 beats per minute. The warm-up included the stationary Spider-Man, inchworm, backward and forward lunge walks, backpedal, and straight-leg skip exercises.

The two experimental conditioning protocols were:

A single set of 10 half-squat repetitions performed at 60% of the participant's estimated one-repetition maximum.

A single set of 5 half-squat repetitions performed at 80% of the participant's estimated one-repetition maximum.

One-repetition maximum was estimated during the familiarization session using the Brzycki equation. After completing the assigned conditioning protocol, participants rested for 5 minutes.

Countermovement jump performance was then assessed using a force platform. Participants performed three countermovement jumps, with 1 minute of rest between attempts. Participants began and ended each jump in an upright position and kept their hands on their hips throughout the movement. The highest jump performance was used for analysis.

The primary performance variables were countermovement jump height, average power, and peak power. Average and peak power were estimated using the Johnson and Bahamonde equations.

During the post-Ramadan testing period, participants were instructed to arrive having consumed food at least 3 hours before testing. Participants were also instructed to avoid vigorous exercise and caffeine-containing food or drinks before the experimental sessions.

The study evaluated the main effects of Ramadan period and conditioning-protocol intensity, as well as the interaction between these two factors. The study was approved by the Inonu University Clinical Research Ethics Committee under approval number 2022/3042, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Post-Activation Potentiation
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: 60% 1RM Half-Squat Conditioning Protocol; Other: 80% 1RM Half-Squat Conditioning Protocol

Detailed Description

This randomized, counterbalanced crossover study evaluated the acute effects of two post-activation conditioning protocols on countermovement jump performance in male Muay Thai athletes during and after Ramadan.

Twenty male Muay Thai athletes were recruited. Six participants did not complete all required sessions, and 14 participants completed the study procedures. Eligible participants had at least 2 years of Muay Thai training experience and experience participating in national-level competitions. Participants reported that they intended to observe Ramadan fasting during the Ramadan assessment period.

Each participant attended four experimental sessions and completed both conditioning protocols during Ramadan and again after Ramadan. Experimental sessions were conducted on non-consecutive days, with approximately 48 hours between sessions. The order of the two protocols was randomized and counterbalanced to minimize possible order and learning effects. Assessments were generally conducted at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Before each conditioning protocol, participants completed a 5-minute specific warm-up paced by a metronome set at 100 beats per minute. The warm-up consisted of the stationary Spider-Man, inchworm, backward and forward lunge walks, backpedal, and straight-leg skip exercises.

The conditioning activities consisted of half-squat exercise performed using one of the following protocols:

One set of 10 repetitions at 60% of the participant's estimated one-repetition maximum.

One set of 5 repetitions at 80% of the participant's estimated one-repetition maximum.

One-repetition maximum was estimated during the familiarization session using the Brzycki equation. After completing the conditioning activity, participants rested for 5 minutes before countermovement jump assessment.

Participants performed three countermovement jumps on a force platform, with 1 minute of rest between attempts. Each jump began from an upright standing position. Participants kept their hands on their hips and performed a self-selected countermovement before jumping vertically as high as possible. The highest jump performance was used for analysis.

The assessed performance variables were countermovement jump height, average power, and peak power. Average and peak power were estimated using the Johnson and Bahamonde equations.

During the post-Ramadan assessment period, participants were instructed to arrive after consuming food at least 3 hours before testing. Before experimental sessions, participants were also instructed to avoid vigorous exercise, caffeine, and caffeine-containing food or beverages.

The study was designed to examine the effects of conditioning-protocol intensity and assessment period on explosive lower-body performance and to determine whether the response to the 60% and 80% protocols differed between Ramadan and the post-Ramadan period.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Inonu University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male Muay Thai athletes.
• At least 2 years of Muay Thai training experience.
• Active participation in national-level Muay Thai competitions.
• Intention to observe Ramadan fasting during the Ramadan assessment period.
• Ability to participate in the familiarization session and all experimental testing sessions.
• Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to complete all required experimental sessions.
• Inability to perform the half-squat conditioning protocols or countermovement jump assessments.
• Performance of vigorous exercise before an experimental session.
• Consumption of caffeine or caffeine-containing foods or beverages before an experimental session.
• Failure to comply with the study procedures or pre-test instructions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Sequence 2: 80%-60% 1RM; Participants completed the 80% 1RM half-squat conditioning protocol first and the 60% 1RM half-squat conditioning protocol in the subsequent session. Both protocols were performed during Ramadan and repeated after Ramadan, with approximately 48 hours between testing sessions.	Other: 60% 1RM Half-Squat Conditioning Protocol; Participants completed a standardized 5-minute specific warm-up paced by a metronome set at 100 beats per minute. They then performed one set of 10 half-squat repetitions at 60% of their estimated one-repetition maximum. After completing the conditioning activity, participants rested for 5 minutes before performing the countermovement jump assessment.; Other Names: 60% Post-Activation Potentiation Protocol; Other: 80% 1RM Half-Squat Conditioning Protocol; Participants completed a standardized 5-minute specific warm-up paced by a metronome set at 100 beats per minute. They then performed one set of 5 half-squat repetitions at 80% of their estimated one-repetition maximum. After completing the conditioning activity, participants rested for 5 minutes before performing the countermovement jump assessment.; Other Names: 80% Post-Activation Potentiation Protocol
Experimental: Sequence 1: 60%-80% 1RM; Participants completed the 60% 1RM half-squat conditioning protocol first and the 80% 1RM half-squat conditioning protocol in the subsequent session. Both protocols were performed during Ramadan and repeated after Ramadan, with approximately 48 hours between testing sessions.	Other: 60% 1RM Half-Squat Conditioning Protocol; Participants completed a standardized 5-minute specific warm-up paced by a metronome set at 100 beats per minute. They then performed one set of 10 half-squat repetitions at 60% of their estimated one-repetition maximum. After completing the conditioning activity, participants rested for 5 minutes before performing the countermovement jump assessment.; Other Names: 60% Post-Activation Potentiation Protocol; Other: 80% 1RM Half-Squat Conditioning Protocol; Participants completed a standardized 5-minute specific warm-up paced by a metronome set at 100 beats per minute. They then performed one set of 5 half-squat repetitions at 80% of their estimated one-repetition maximum. After completing the conditioning activity, participants rested for 5 minutes before performing the countermovement jump assessment.; Other Names: 80% Post-Activation Potentiation Protocol

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Countermovement Jump Height	Countermovement jump height was measured in centimeters using a Newtest 2000 force platform. Participants performed three countermovement jumps with 1 minute of rest between attempts while keeping their hands on their hips. The highest jump height recorded during each assessment was used for analysis. Higher values indicate better jump performance.	5 minutes after the conditioning protocol at each of four experimental sessions: Session 1 during the last 10 days of Ramadan; Session 2, 48 hours after Session 1 during Ramadan; Session 3, approximately 3 weeks after Ramadan; and Session 4, 48 hours aft
Average Power During Countermovement Jump	Average power during the countermovement jump was estimated in watts using the Johnson and Bahamonde equation. The calculation was based on the countermovement jump assessment performed after each conditioning protocol. Higher values indicate greater average lower-body power.	5 minutes after the conditioning protocol at each of four experimental sessions: Session 1 during the last 10 days of Ramadan; Session 2, 48 hours after Session 1 during Ramadan; Session 3, approximately 3 weeks after Ramadan; and Session 4, 48 hours aft
Peak Power During Countermovement Jump	Peak power during the countermovement jump was estimated in watts using the Johnson and Bahamonde equation. The calculation was based on the countermovement jump assessment performed after each conditioning protocol. Higher values indicate greater peak lower-body power.	5 minutes after the conditioning protocol at each of four experimental sessions: Session 1 during the last 10 days of Ramadan; Session 2, 48 hours after Session 1 during Ramadan; Session 3, approximately 3 weeks after Ramadan; and Session 4, 48 hours aft

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Inonu University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 15, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 23, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): May 23, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 4, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): September 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 4, 2026
• Last Verified: September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Resistance Exercise; Athletic Performance; Muay Thai; Ramadan Fasting; Countermovement Jump; Explosive Power; Post-Activation Potentiation; One-Repetition Maximum
• Other Study ID Numbers: INONU-PAP-RAM-2022-3042

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: The individual participant data sharing plan has not yet been finalized. Any future sharing of de-identified data will be subject to ethical approval, participant confidentiality requirements, and approval by the study investigators.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No