Laurent B. Seitz

Edith Cowan University · Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research (CESSR)

Background Although post-activation potentiation (PAP) has been extensively examined following the completion of a conditioning activity (CA), the precise effects on subsequent jump, sprint, throw, and upper-body ballistic performances and the factors modulating these effects have yet to be determined. Moreover, weaker and stronger individuals seem...

Background: Although lower-body strength is correlated with sprint performance, whether increases in lower-body strength transfer positively to sprint performance remain unclear. Objectives: This meta-analysis determined whether increases in lower-body strength (measured with the free-weight back squat exercise) transfer positively to sprint per...

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the acute effects of back squats and power cleans on sprint performance. Thirteen elite junior rugby league players performed 20-m linear sprints before and seven minutes after two different conditioning activities or one control condition. The conditioning activities included one set of three back s...

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether stronger individuals are able to express postactivation potentiation earlier than weaker individuals during a vertical squat jump test. Eighteen junior elite rugby league players were divided into strong (relative 1RM back squat ≥ 2 × body mass) and weak (relative 1RM back squat <2.0 × body...

Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) describes a phenomenon of acute increases in voluntary muscular performance resulting from a preceding high-intensity conditioning activity [1]. The objective of the present investigation was to examine the influence of strength level and jumping ability on acute changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) p...

Purpose We examined the effect of muscle stretching on the ability to produce rapid torque and the mechanisms underpinning the changes. Methods Eighteen men performed three conditions: (1) continuous stretch (1 set of 5 min), (2) intermittent stretch (5 sets of 1 min with 15-s inter-stretch interval), and (3) control. Isometric plantar flexor rate...

Blanco, P, Nimphius, S, Seitz, LB, Spiteri, T, and Haff, GG. Countermovement jump and drop jump performances are related to grand jeté leap performance in dancers with different skill levels. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-Thirty-five classical ballet dancers were chosen to investigate relationships between the grand jeté leap, countermov...

Objectives: The aim of the present meta-analytical review was to determine the effectiveness of training programmes combining higher-load and lower-load exercises in one workout (i.e. complex training [CT]) on lower-body performance. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A search of five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Sci...

Studies examining acute, high‐speed movement performance enhancement following intense muscular contractions (frequently called ‘post‐activation potentiation’; PAP) often impose a limited warm‐up, compromizing external validity. In the present study the effects on countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) performance of back squat exercises performed wit...

This study investigated the efficacy of deadlifts and box squats, with a combination of traditional and accommodating resistance, as a potentiating (PAP) stimulus of standing broad jumps (SBJ) in a multiple set contrast protocol. Twelve professional rugby league players (21.4 ± 2.5yrs; 181.3 ± 8.3cm, 91.9 ± 8.8kg; 1RM back squat/BM 1.59 ± 0.21; 1RM...

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of two barbell hip thrust-based post-activation potentiation (PAP) protocols on subsequent sprint performance. Using a crossover design, eighteen soccer athletes performed 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m sprints before and 15 s, 4 min, and 8 min after two PAP protocols. The PAP conditioning activities consisted...

The present study was designed to evaluate the voluntary post-activation potentiation (PAP) effects of moderate (MI) or high intensity (HI) back squat exercises on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance across multiple sets of a contrast training protocol. Sixty resistance-trained male subjects (age, 23.3 ± 3.3 y; body mass, 86.0 ± 13.9 kg; paralle...

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of two barbell hip thrust-based (BHT) post-activation potentiation (PAP) protocols on subsequent sprint performance. Using a crossover design, eighteen handball athletes performed maximal 15-m sprints before and 15s, 4min and 8min after two experimental protocols consisting of BHT loaded with either...

An investigation into the efficacy of deadlifts and box squats loaded with a combination of traditional and accommodating resistance at potentiating horizontal jump performance

Introduction: The back squat exercise is a fundamental exercise for the development of lower limb strength and power. However, in successful attempts of one repetition maximum (1-RM), the upward barbell movement decelerates for a short period referred to as the “sticking point”. The inclusion of elastic bands (EB) minimises the loading during the e...

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the potentiating effects of performing a single sprint-style sled push on subsequent unresisted 20m sprint performance. Design: Randomized crossover design. Methods: Following a familiarization session, twenty rugby league players performed maximal unresisted 20m sprints before and 15s, 4,...

The acute influence of chain-loaded variable resistance exercise on subsequent free-weight one-repetition maximum (1-RM) back squat performance was examined in 16 recreationally active men. The participants performed either a free-weight resistance (FWR) or chain-loaded resistance (CLR) back squat warm-up at 85% 1-RM on two separate occasions. Afte...

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects of a traditional set structure and two cluster set structures on force, velocity, and power during back squats in strength-trained men. Methods: Twelve men (25.8 ± 5.1 y; 1.74 ± 0.07 m; 79.3 ± 8.2 kg) performed three sets of twelve repetitions at 60% of one repetition maximum...

The purpose of this study was to examine the strength, velocity and power adaptations in youth rugby league players in response to a variable resistance training (VRT) or traditional free-weight resistance-training (TRAD) intervention.Sixteen elite youth players were assigned to a VRT or TRAD group and completed two weekly upper and lower-body stre...

This study determined whether a post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect could be elicited across multiple sets of a contrast PAP protocol. Fourteen rugby league players performed a contrast PAP protocol comprising four sets of two paused box squats accommodated with bands alternated with two standing broad jumps. The rest period between the squat...

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between maximal voluntary postactivation potentiation (PAP) and maximal knee extensor torque, quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and volume, and type II myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform percentage in human skeletal muscle. Thirteen resistance-trained men completed a test protocol consist...

ABSTRACT: THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE APPLICABILITY OF POSTACTIVATION POTENTIATION (PAP) FOR THE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE CAPACITIES IN RUGBY PLAYERS. WE ILLUSTRATE HOW A POTENTIATING STIMULUS CAN INDUCE A PAP RESPONSE IN VERTICAL JUMP, SPRINT, AND UPPER-BODY PERFORMANCE. WE PROVIDE INSIGHTS REGARDING THE OPTIMAL STRUCTURE OF A STRENGTH-PO...

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of the Reactive Strength Index (RSI) and jump-height (JH) performance from multiple drop heights in an elite population. Methods: Thirteen professional basketball players (mean±SD age 25.8±3.5 y, height 1.96±0.07 m, mass 94.8±8.2 kg) completed 3 maximal drop-jump attempts onto a jump mat at 4 randomly assigne...

The purposes of this study were to determine whether performing dynamic conditioning activities (CAs) contributes to postactivation potentiation (PAP); to examine the potential confounding effects of CAs with different velocity, total contraction duration, and total work characteristics; and to gain a greater understanding of potential peripheral a...

The purpose of the present study was to examine the possible inhibitory effect of passive plantar flexor muscle stretching on the motoneuron facilitatory system. Achilles tendon vibration and triceps surae electrical stimulation were imposed simultaneously in 11 subjects to elicit contraction through reflexive pathways in two experiments. In Experi...

To investigate the effect of rest periods on fatigue, twelve resistance trained males (25.75±5.13 y; 79.27±8.17 kg; 1RM = 1.90±0.23 x body mass) performed 3 sets of 12 repetitions of back squats using 60% 1RM for two different set configurations: traditional sets (TS) where all repetitions within a set were performed in a row, and cluster sets (CS)...

Purpose: To compare the effects of sprint training with or without ball carry on the sprint performance of elite rugby league players. Methods: Twenty-four elite rugby league players were divided into a ball-carry group (BC; n = 12) and a no-ball-carry group (NBC; n = 12). The players of the BC group were required to catch and carry the ball und...

Purpose: To determine whether a previously validated performance-testing protocol for competitive surfers is able to differentiate between Australian elite junior surfers selected (S) to the national team and those not selected (NS). Methods: Thirty-two elite male competitive junior surfers were divided into 2 groups (S=16, NS=16). Their age, he...

The relative contributions of central versus peripheral factors to the force loss induced by acute continuous and intermittent plantarflexor stretches were studied. Eighteen healthy young men with no apparent tissue stiffness limitations randomly performed 1) one 5-min stretch (continuous stretch; CS); 2) five 1-min stretches (intermittent stretch;...

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether stronger individuals are able to express postactivation potentiation earlier than weaker individuals during a vertical squat jump test. Eighteen junior elite rugby league players were divided into strong (relative 1RM back squat >= 2 x body mass) and weak (relative 1RM back squat <2.0 x bod...

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a small-sided game training intervention on the intermittent shuttle running performance, speed and repeated sprint ability of elite rugby league players during the competitive phase of a rugby league season.Ten elite rugby league players from a Stobart Super League team academy unde...

The purpose of the present research was to indentify the contribution of central vs. peripheral factors to the force loss after passive muscle stretching. Thirteen men randomly performed both a 5-min constant-torque stretch of the plantar flexors on an isokinetic dynamometer and a resting condition on two separate days. The triceps surae electromyo...