Post-Activation Potentiation and Jump Performance During and After Ramadan

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.