An interventional study of Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol and Standardized Warm-Up Control Condition in Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players, sponsored by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to male participants aged 20 Years to 23 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-30.
Sponsored by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This study examined whether performing heavy back squats before exercise affects jumping ability and repeated sprint performance in trained soccer players. Twenty male university soccer players completed two testing sessions in a randomized crossover design. In one session, participants performed a standardized warm-up only. In the other session, they performed the same warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of their one-repetition maximum. The two sessions were separated by one week. After each condition, participants completed a countermovement jump test and an 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test. The study aimed to determine whether the heavy back-squat activity improves early explosive performance and whether it increases fatigue during prolonged repeated sprint exercise.
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Participants first completed the Control condition, consisting of a standardized warm-up without an additional conditioning activity. After a one-week washout period, participants completed the PAPE condition, consisting of the same standardized warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum, with 3 minutes of passive recovery between sets. Countermovement jump and repeated sprint performance were assessed after each condition.
Behavioral: Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol · Behavioral: Standardized Warm-Up Control Condition
Participants first completed the PAPE condition, consisting of a standardized warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum, with 3 minutes of passive recovery between sets. After a one-week washout period, participants completed the Control condition, consisting of the same standardized warm-up without an additional conditioning activity. Countermovement jump and repeated sprint performance were assessed after each condition.
Behavioral: Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol · Behavioral: Standardized Warm-Up Control Condition
Participants completed a standardized warm-up followed by a heavy back-squat conditioning activity consisting of three sets of three repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum. Three minutes of passive recovery were provided between sets. Countermovement jump performance was assessed approximately 4.5-5 minutes after the final squat set, immediately before the repeated sprint test.
Participants completed a standardized warm-up consisting of 5 minutes of jogging, followed by 10 bodyweight squats, 10 lunges, and 10 lateral shuffles. No additional conditioning activity was performed. After approximately 5 minutes of passive recovery, countermovement jump performance was assessed immediately before the repeated sprint test.
Repeated Sprint Performance Decrement
Percentage decline in repeated sprint performance calculated from sprint times recorded during an 18 × 40-meter shuttle sprint test. The protocol consisted of three sets of six 40-meter shuttle sprints, with 20 seconds of passive recovery between sprints and 4 minutes of passive recovery between sets. Lower percentage values indicate better maintenance of sprint performance and less fatigue.
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Countermovement Jump Height
Maximum countermovement jump height measured in centimeters using the Optojump Next optical measurement system. Participants performed three maximal countermovement jump trials with their hands positioned on their hips and 60 seconds of passive recovery between trials. The highest jump height was used for analysis. Higher values indicate better jump performance.
Time frame: At approximately 5 minutes after the assigned condition, within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Mean Repeated Sprint Time
Mean sprint time, measured in seconds, calculated across all 18 repetitions of the 40-meter shuttle sprint test. Sprint times were recorded using a photocell timing system. Lower values indicate better repeated sprint performance.
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Best Sprint Time
The fastest sprint time, measured in seconds, recorded among the 18 repetitions of the 40-meter shuttle sprint test using a photocell timing system. Lower values indicate better sprint performance.
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Worst Sprint Time
The slowest sprint time, measured in seconds, recorded among the 18 repetitions of the 40-meter shuttle sprint test using a photocell timing system. Lower values indicate better sprint performance.
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Sprint Time Across Individual Repetitions
Sprint time, measured in seconds, for each of the 18 individual 40-meter shuttle sprint repetitions. Sprint-by-sprint values were used to evaluate changes in performance during the early repetitions (sprints 1-3), middle repetitions (sprints 4-8), and later repetitions (sprints 9-18). Lower values indicate faster sprint performance.
Time frame: During each repetition of the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period
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Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa