Effect of intensity and duration of conditioning protocol on post‐activation potentiation and changes in H‐reflex

The force enhancement of muscle twitch contraction after a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) has been defined as post‐activation potentiation. However, the effects of post‐activation potentiation on ballistic movements have not been studied extensively, or the underlying neurophysiologycal mechanism. In the current study, we examined post‐activation potentiation and spinal H‐reflex excitability in the soleus muscle. Mechanical power during explosive ballistic plantar flexions was measured in 14 males before and after 5 s, 4 min, and 10 min of isometric conditioning (EPF pre , EPF 5s , EPF 4min , EPF 10min , respectively). Four sessions corresponding to four different protocols of isometric conditioning were conducted. The protocols were different in the intensity (10% vs. 100% of MVC) and duration (7 vs. 10 s) of the isometric conditioning. The results showed a significant enhancement in mechanical power in EPF 4min compared with EPF pre , only when the isometric conditioning was performed at 100% of MVC for 10 s. No significant changes were observed in the H‐related parameters (e.g amplitude, threshold, H/M ratio) after the isometric conditioning. Our results show that to obtain a post‐activation potentiation during explosive ballistic movements, the intensity and duration of the isometric conditioning must be controlled. Moreover, the improvement in mechanical power is not related to spinal H‐reflex excitability.