Postactivation potentiation: an introduction

Abstract

Improving strength and power in the athlete who is being rehabilitated is a central focus of the sports physical therapist, particularly in the terminal phases of rehabilitation where the emphasis shifts to readiness to return to sport and sports performance enhancement. High load strength training and power training through plyometric exercises are two key components of performance enhancement programs. A current concept in the strength and conditioning literature that is relatively unknown in sports physical therapy is postactivation potentiation (PAP). Even though we have limited data and there may be limited application of the concept of PAP for the sports physical therapist, awareness of this phenomenon is important nonetheless. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to introduce the sports physical therapist to the concept of PAP.

Keywords: complex training; postactivation potentiation; power training; strength training.

Figures

Figure 1.

High load step ups.

Figure 2.

Walking lunges with dumbbells.

Figure 3.

Single leg dumbbell squat.

Figure 4.

Split jumps.

Figure 5.

Countermovement from step.

Figure 6.

Single leg vertical jump.