Key result
Post-pubescent young soccer players exhibited significantly greater post-activation performance enhancement (3.30 cm increase in jump height) after maximal exercise compared to pre-pubescent players (1.48 cm).
Why the study?
Post-activation performance enhancement occurs after intense contractile stimulation, but the effect of pubertal status on this response after maximal CPET remained to be examined.
Does pubertal status affect post-activation performance enhancement after a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test in young male soccer players?
Cross-Sectional (n=48)
No
Does pubertal status affect post-activation performance enhancement after a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test in young male soccer players?
Post-activation performance enhancement after maximal CPET is greater in post-pubescent young soccer players compared to pre-pubescent and pubescent players, and maximal aerobic speed correlates positively with lower limb strength.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
PAPE response after CPET may vary by pubertal status in youth soccer players; leaves open tailored training protocols.
Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) occurs when performance improves after intense contractile stimulation. This study examined the effect of pubertal status on PAPE after a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in 48 male soccer players aged 10–18 years. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and lower limb strength. They were classified as pre-pubescent (n=13), pubescent (n=15), and post-pubescent (n=20). The participants performed three countermovement jumps (CMJ) before and after a maximal CPET. The PAPE was estimated by calculating the difference between pre- and post-exercise CMJ height at five minutes of recovery after CPET. The CPET was performed on a treadmill using a ramp protocol to determine the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and MAS. CMJ height was significantly greater after the CPET for all groups. Post-pubescent participants had significantly greater PAPE than both pre-pubescents and pubescents. Pre-pubescents had significantly lower CMJ height, VO2 max, and MAS compared to pubescent and post-pubescents. Finally, a positive relationship was observed between MAS and CMJ height. In conclusion, PAPE after maximal CPET was observed in all pubertal cohorts of young soccer players. However, it was greater in post-pubescent children. Finally, MAS was positively correlated with lower limbs strength.
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Estrella et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy young soccer players (n=48). Pubertal status (post-pubescent vs pre-pubescent/pubescent) vs. Pre-pubescent and pubescent status was evaluated on Post-activation performance enhancement (difference between pre- and post-exercise countermovement jump height) (p=<0.05). Post-pubescent young soccer players exhibited significantly greater post-activation performance enhancement (3.30 cm increase in jump height) after maximal exercise compared to pre-pubescent players (1.48 cm).
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