The Effect of Plyometric-Based PAPE Warm-Up Vs. Traditional Warm-Up on Vertical Jump, Reaction Time, Change of Direction, Cognitive Skills, and Serve Speed Performance in Mid- and Post-Pubertal Athletes: A Randomized Crossover Study

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of plyometric-based post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) and traditional (TRA) warm-ups on athletes' athletic performance and cognitive outcomes. Seventeen trained female volleyball players (7 mid-pubertal and 10 post-pubertal) participated a randomized crossover trial. The measurements included countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), reaction time, change of directions, cognitive skills, and serve speed performances. The results showed that both PAPE and TRA warm-up interventions significantly improved vertical jump (CMJ and SJ) and reaction time (p < .050 for all), with no differences in cognitive skills, CODs, or serve speed (p < .050 for all). PAPE warm-up improved CMJ slightly more in mid-pubertal athletes compared to post-pubertal athletes (difference [95% CI] = 3.36 [2.52 to 4.19], ES = 0.86, ∆11% vs 1.93 [0.74 to 3.13], ES = 0.39, ∆6%, respectively), with no any interaction effect (p > .050). However, PAPE warm-up markedly improved SJ in mid-pubertal athletes compared to post-pubertal athletes (difference [95% CI] = 6.98 [6.54 to 7.43], ES = 0.92, ∆24% vs 2.71 [2.19 to 3.23], ES = 0.87, ∆9%, respectively), with a significant time×warm-up×maturity interaction effect (p = .028). Furthermore, PAPE and TRA warm-ups showed similar effects on the reaction time in mid-pubertal and post-pubertal athletes (p > .050). In conclusion, a plyometric-based jump warm-up intervention may have beneficial effects on vertical jump performance by triggering the PAPE mechanism. However, maturity may affect the potential of complex explosive movements, particularly the SJ, following such an intervention.