Resistance Exercise-Based Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Athletes: A Narrative Review of Protocol Variables, Performance Outcomes, and Individual Response Variability

Öz

Aim: The aim of this review was to evaluate the acute effects of resistance exercise-based conditioning activities on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in athletes and to examine the influence of load, volume, recovery, athlete characteristics, and physical fitness levels on PAPE responses. Method: In this narrative review, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched between June and August 2026. Search terms were combined using Boolean operators; the core search string was (“post-activation performance enhancement” OR “PAPE” OR “post-activation potentiation” OR “PAP”) AND (“resistance exercise” OR “resistance training” OR “conditioning activity”) AND (“athlete” OR “sport”) and was adapted to the search features of each database. Original studies published in English between 2016 and 2026 that reported objective acute performance outcomes following resistance exercise-based conditioning activities in athletes were examined, and 60 studies consistent with the scope were included. The findings were not quantitatively pooled; instead, the studies were compared in terms of activity type, load, volume, recovery, athlete profile, and performance outcomes and evaluated through critical narrative synthesis. Conclusion: Resistance-based conditioning activities such as free weights, flywheel-based training, resistance bands, and isometric contractions can provide acute benefits, particularly in terms of jumping and short-distance sprint performance; however, the response varies depending on the protocol and the athlete. Heavier loads or higher volumes do not consistently produce better results. Low-to-moderate-volume protocols that limit fatigue while providing sufficient neuromuscular stimulation appear to be more practical. Although positive responses are often reported within 3–12 minutes after the activity, no single optimal duration has been established. PAPE should be considered an individualized preparation strategy in which the conditioning activity is selected based on the target task, and the load, volume, and timing are adjusted according to the athlete’s relative strength, training experience, and daily response, rather than following a standard protocol.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Conditioning Activity
• Explosive Performance
• Neuromuscular Performance
• PAPE
• Resistance Training

Sporcularda Direnç Egzersizi Temelli Post-Aktivasyon Performans Artışı: Protokol Değişkenleri, Performans Sonuçları ve Bireysel Yanıt Değişkenliği Üzerine Bir Anlatı Derlemesi

Öz

Amaç: Bu derlemenin amacı, sporcularda direnç egzersizi temelli kondisyonel aktivitelerin post-aktivasyon performans artışı (PAPE) üzerindeki akut etkilerini ve yanıtı şekillendiren yük, hacim, toparlanma, sporcu özellikleri ve fiziksel uygunluk seviyelerinin rolünü değerlendirmektir. Yöntem: Bu anlatı derlemesinde, Haziran-Ağustos 2026 tarihleri arasında PubMed, Scopus ve Web of Science veri tabanları taranmıştır. Arama terimleri Boolean operatörleri kullanılarak birleştirilmiştir. Temel arama dizisi; (“post-activation performance enhancement” OR “PAPE” OR “post-activation potentiation” OR “PAP”) AND (“resistance exercise” OR “resistance training” OR “conditioning activity”) AND (“athlete” OR “sport”) biçiminde oluşturulmuş ve veri tabanlarının arama özelliklerine göre uyarlanmıştır. 2016-2026 yılları arasında İngilizce yayımlanan ve sporcularda direnç egzersizi temelli kondisyonel aktiviteler sonrasında objektif akut performans çıktılarını raporlayan özgün araştırmalar incelenmiş ve kapsamla uyumlu 60 çalışma derlemeye dahil edilmiştir. Bulgular nicel olarak birleştirilmemiş; çalışmalar aktivite türü, yük, hacim, toparlanma, sporcu profili ve performans çıktıları açısından karşılaştırılarak eleştirel anlatı senteziyle değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuç: Serbest ağırlık, Atalet temelli (flywheel), direnç bandı ve izometrik kasılma gibi direnç temelli kondisyonel aktiviteler özellikle sıçrama ve kısa mesafe sprint çıktılarında akut yarar sağlayabilmektedir; ancak yanıt protokol ve sporcuya göre değişmektedir. Daha ağır yük veya daha yüksek hacim düzenli biçimde daha iyi sonuç üretmemektedir. Yeterli nöromüsküler uyaran oluştururken yorgunluğu sınırlayan düşük-orta hacimli düzenlemeler daha uygulanabilir görünmektedir. Olumlu yanıtlar sıklıkla aktivite sonrasındaki 3–12 dakikada bildirilse de tek bir optimal süre desteklenmemektedir. PAPE, standart bir protokol yerine, kondisyonel aktivitenin hedef göreve göre seçildiği; yük, hacim ve zamanlamanın ise sporcunun relatif kuvveti, antrenman deneyimi ve günlük yanıtına göre ayarlandığı bireyselleştirilmiş bir hazırlık stratejisi olarak ele alınmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Direnç Antrenmanı
• Kondisyonel Aktivite
• Nöromüsküler Performans
• Patlayıcı Performans
• Post Aktivasyon Potansiyeli

Kaynakça

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