International Journal of Sport Studies. Vol.

, 3 (9), 949-955, 2013

Available online at http: www.ijssjournal.com
ISSN 2251-7502 © 2013 VictorQuest Publications

Comparison the transitory effect of maximal half-squat on vertical

jump height, pre and post four weeks complex resistance training
in trained men
Motamedi Pezhman (PhD)*, Abdolmaleki Abbas (MSc)

Exercise physiology department, faculty of physical education and sport sciences, university of
kharazmi, Tehran, Iran

*Corresponding author, Email: Pezhman.motamedi@yahoo.com

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the transitory effect of maximal half-squat
on vertical jump height, pre and post four weeks complex resistance training in trained men.
Methodology: For this reason, 23 trained men took part in this research as a subjects and then
divided randomly into experimental (N=12) and control (N=11) groups based on vertical jump
records and sport events. Maximal strength in half-squat test and vertical jump height was
assessed after warm up period (without postactivation potentiation) and warm up period plus
maximal half-squat (with postactivation potentiation), pre and post four weeks complex
resistance training (CRT). The training program in experimental and control groups was
similar but experimental group take part in two complex resistance training sessions more
than control group. Data were analyzed by using independent and related t-student tests.
Results: The results showed that maximum strength in half-squat and the height of vertical
jump, increased significantly after four weeks of training protocol in experimental group in
comparison with control group (p<0.05). But statistical analysis was not significant after
postactivation potentiation in comparison non postactivation potentiation after four weeks of
training protocol in two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: the findings of this present study suggest that specific complex resistance
training with high intensity postactivation potentiation, in pre-competition period that can
improve explosive performance of strength and power athletes.

Key words: Complex resistance training, postactivation potentiation, explosive power

Introduction

Muscle power is a crucial factor in many races; and applying the methods which lead to improve of
this factor is the great importance (Rahimi and Behpur, 2005). Many researches proved that the
maximal and sub maximal voluntary contractions may result in transitory promotion of the explosive
performance (Chiu et al., 2003; French et al., 2003; Hoffman et al., 2007). Applying the maximal and
sub maximal activities to improve the transitory promotion of strength and power performance is
called post-activation potentiation (PAP) (Abdolmalki et al., 2011; Chiu et al., 2003). The effect of this
phenomenon has many applications such as compete in explosive-speed sports and planning the
complex resistance training (CRT) (Ebben et al., 2000).
The complex resistance training (CRT) which were based on PAP phenomenon was introduced for
the first time in 1973 by Yuri Verkhoshansky (Ebben and Watts, 1998). Although, a few researches
have been conducted in this regard, most of them confirm that this method improves explosive power
(Adams et al., 1992, Mihalik et al., 2008:, Rahimi and Behpur, 2005: Santos and Janeira, 2008).
However, many factors affect the PAP; and then CRT affects the explosive performance (Hamada et
al., 2000); for instance training background and the subjects' maximum strength (Ebben, 2002). In the
researches, where the subjects were untrained, the reports showed that they felt a little (Gourgoulis et
al., 2003; Rixon et al., 2007) or no (Rixon et al., 2007; Witmer et al., 2010) improvement in vertical
jump height after potentiating. But, in the researches that the subjects were trained, it was reported a

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meaningful improvement in vertical jump height after potentiating (Abdolmalki et al, 2011: Hoffman et
al., 2007; Kovačević et al, 2010; Rixon et al., 2007). Also, they reported that applying heavier loads in
potentiating section would increase the PAP's benefits for the trained subjects (Gourgoulis et al.,
2003: Guellich and Schmidtbleicher, 1996; Rixon et al., 2007). On the other hand, it seems that
improves performance and the conditioning level of trained athletes, slows down the improvement of
muscle power and strength (Bompa and Haff, 2009; Gourgoulis et al., 2003; Guellich and
Schmidtbleicher, 1996; Harrison, 2011; Rahimi Behpur, 2005; Rixon et al., 2007). Therefore,
considering the above mentioned points and since CRT is an affected by the factors which affect PAP
phenomenon, one question arises: does the PAP’s benefit level remains pre and post four weeks
complex resistance training? So, the present research aims to compare the transitory effect of
maximal half-squat on vertical jump height, pre and post four weeks complex resistance training in
trained men.

Materials and Methods

Subjects: Subjects consisted of 23 volunteer male athletes (14 volleyball player, 4 basketball player,
and 4 track and field athletes in jump and sprint events). Some of their characteristics have been
shown in Table 1. All subjects were healthy and they haven’t any musculoskeletal injury earlier. All of
them had at least a one-year experience in strength training. Also, they train with 50 to 90 percent of
one repetition maximum (1RM) at least for two month. Moreover, the subjects were train in specific
preparation or pre-competition period in yearly programming. They were classified in two
experimental (n=12) and control (n=11) groups, according to their specialized sport and their vertical
height jump records. Also, there were no significant differences between the average values of height,
age, weight and maximum strength in half-squat movement in two groups. In this research, vertical
jump's height and the maximum strength in half-squat assessed four and three times respectively.
The subjects forbidden to consume sport supplements for 6 weeks (one week pre-test, four weeks
training protocols and one week post-test); also avoid from caffeine consumption in daily test and 48
hours before it.

Measurements:
Maximum strength: four days before training protocol, at the end of the second week and one day
after the fourth week all subjects were perform leg press, half-squat and single leg squat (knee angle:
90 degrees) movements based on the Huffman method (2006) to measure one repetition maximum
(Hoffman, 2006). The aim of 1RM test at the end of second week was to assess the maximum
strength changes to modify exercise program.
Vertical jump: the vertical jump test was conducted two times before the first week and two times
after the fourth week, with at least 48 hour intervals. All subjects performed the same warming up
process before vertical jump or potentiating activity. Each person stood on the time counter (Yagami
DS-100c) surface, following a four-minute active rest, then they bent their knee joints (in half-squat
position); and also put their hands on their sides and got ready to jump(r=0.949). When the tester
ordered, they jumped using their maximum potent. The subjects were informed to keep their knee
joints extended while jumping and landing (Hoffman, 2006). Finally, after registering the flight time,
the equation 1 was used to calculate the height of vertical jump:

(Equation 1) vertical Jump Height=9.81m/s× Flight time2- 8

Table 1: Average and standard deviation of the subjects’ characteristics

Number Age Height Weight half-squat vertical jump
of (year) (cm) (kg) 1RM (kg) height (cm)
subjects
experimental 12 20.6±2.0 178.1±5.1 74.9±5.1 132.5±8.8 36.98±4.8
group
Control group 11 21.0±1.8 175.8±5.4 74.2±4.8 131.8±8.1 36.29±4.5
Total 23 20.8±2.1 176.9±5.3 74.5±4.9 132.1±8.7 36.65±4.6

Experimental condition: after planning the CRT protocol, it was evaluated in a pilot study for three
weeks (13 male athletes), concerning its affectivity. After that, all subjects participated in this study. 24
hours after measuring the one repetition maximum in half-squat movement, the subjects came to the
laboratory and randomly divided in two groups: (a) without postactivation potentiation (warm up
period), (b) with postactivation potentiation (warm up period plus maximal half-squat). After warm up

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period (with and without postactivation potentiation) they rested four minutes (active rest) and
immediately vertical jump test was conducted. 48 hours later the same procedures were repeated, but
the subjects who had just warmed up (without postactivation potentiation) before test, this time
warmed up plus maximal half-squat and the other group vice versa. The subjects were classified in
control and experimental group, based on the vertical jump height after warming up and of course
considering their sports event.
The four weeks training protocol for two groups was similar but the experimental group performed two
more sessions of complex resistance training based on the table 2 in comparison with control group.
At the end of the fourth week, the post-test were conducted similar to pre-test conditions. In this four
weeks training protocol, the experimental group exercised with a resistance equal to one repetition
maximum. The resting intervals were as follows: four minutes between the resistance and the
plyometric exercise; then two minutes between plyometric and the resistance exercise. It must be
noted that with regard to the postactivation potentiation literature (Abdolmalki et al., 2011: Hoffman et
al., 2007; Rixon et al., 2007), the present research has used maximum resistance loads in complex
resistance training.

Table 2: the groups and the four weeks training protocol

Group Experimental group Control group
Week S1 S2 S1 S2
1×1 HBS* 1×1 HBS
1×5 SJ 1×5 SJ
1×1 LP 1×1 LP
1×5 BJ 1×5 BJ
1 2** 2 - -
1×1 SS(L) 1×1 SS(L)
1×5 SLH(L) 1×5 SLH(L)
1×1 SS(R) 1×1 SS(R)
1×5 SLH(R) 1×5 SLH(R)
1×1 HBS 1×1 HBS
1×5 SJ 1×5 SJ
1×1 LP 1×1 LP
1×5 BJ 1×5 BJ
2 2 2 - -
1×1 SS(L) 1×1 SS(L)
1×5 SLH(L) 1×5 SLH(L)
1×1 SS(R) 1×1 SS(R)
1×5 SLH(R) 1×5 SLH(R)
1×1 HBS 1×1 HBS
1×5 SJ 1×5 SJ
1×1 LP 1×1 LP
1×5 BJ 1×5 BJ
3 2 2 - -
1×1 SS(L) 1×1 SS(L)
1×5 SLH(L) 1×5 SLH(L)
1×1 SS(R) 1×1 SS(R)
1×5 SLH(R) 1×5 SLH(R)
1×1 HBS 1×1 HBS
1×5 SJ 1×5 SJ
1×1 LP 1×1 LP
1×5 BJ 1×5 BJ
4 2 2 - -
1×1 SS(L) 1×1 SS(L)
1×5 SLH(L) 1×5 SLH(L)
1×1 SS(R) 1×1 SS(R)
1×5 SLH(R) 1×5 SLH(R)
* The movements: sets and repetitions.

HBS: half back squat; SJ: sergent jump; LP: leg press; BJ: box jump; SS: single leg squat; SLH:
single leg hope; R: right leg; L: left leg; S: session.
** The number of circuits in training sessions.

Data analysis
Group data were expressed as mean and standard deviation and statistical significance was set at
the P<0.05 level. In this research the independent t-test is used to decide whether two groups are

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statistically different from each other or not and the kolmogrov-smirnov test were applied to determine
if the data distribution is normal. Pre and post differences of vertical jump height and maximum
strength data were analyzes with related and independent t-test. Statistical data were analyzed using
SPSS-18 and the effect size and test power of each test were calculated using G-power software.

Results

Maximum strength: the results showed that a significant increase in half-squat one repetition
maximum, after executing the four weeks complex resistance training in experimental group in
comparison with control group. (P<0.05, ES=0.98, TP=0.99) (Figure 1).

Figure1: Comparison of the maximum strength between the two groups before and after 4
weeks training protocol

* Significant difference with control group in post-test (P<0.05)

Vertical jump: the results showed that a significant increase in vertical jump height in warm up period
plus maximaum half-squat (with postactivation potentiation) before and after the four weeks training
protocol in comparison with warm up period (without postactivation potentiation)(P<0.05) (table3).

Table 3: Comparison the subject' vertical jump height with and without postactivation
potentiation before and after 4 weeks training protocol
Mean ± SD t value P value
(with (with
PAP/without PAP/without
PAP) PAP)
Vertical jump height before the without 36.65±4.61 - 12.65 0.001*
4 weeks training protocol PAP
with PAP 40.12±5.06
Vertical jump height after the 4 without 40.02±5.68 -16.93 0.001*
weeks training protocol PAP
with PAP 43.59±5.83
* Significant difference (P<0.05)

Also, the results showed that a significant increase in vertical jump height in experimental group
after four weeks complex resistance training (CRT) relative to pre-test (p<0.05), while there appeared
no significant increase in vertical jump height in control group after four weeks training in comparison
with pre-test (P<0.05). Moreover the results showed that a significant increase in vertical jump height
in experimental group after four weeks training protocol in comparison with control group (P<0.05,
Es=1.03, TP=0.99) (Figure 2).

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Figure 2: Comparison of vertical jump height (without PAP) between two groups before and
after the 4 weeks training protocol
* Significant difference with pre-test (P<0.05)
** Significant difference with control group in post-test (P<0.05)

Also, there appeared no significant improvement in vertical jump height as a result of postactivation
potentiation period after four weeks training protocol between the groups (P<0.05, ES=0.56, TP=0.80)
(Figure 3).

Figure 3: Improvement in vertical jump height as a result of postactivation potentiation period

after four weeks training protocol between the groups

Discussion and conclusion

The findings of the present research showed that a significant increase in half-squat one repetition
maximum, after executing the four weeks complex resistance training in experimental group in
comparison with control group. Reviewing the two groups' average percent changes in one repetition
maximum of half-squat test (2.8 and – 2.7 percent for the experimental and control groups,
respectively), showed that the complex training protocol has met the expectations. These findings
have been consistent with those of researches, which reported increase or decrease of the maximum
strength as a result of participating or not participating in weight exercise during 4 to 6-weeks of
resistance training protocol (Adams et al., 1992; Rahimi and Behpur, 2005; Santos and Janeira,
2008). It must be noted that the training loads, sets and repetitions, the exercise frequency per week
and the resting intervals in complex resistance training protocol for the experimental group was not so
impressive to creating the large increase in maximum strength and they were sufficient only to
maintain one maximum repetition in pre-competition period (Rahimi and Behpur, 2005). However,
there appeared a little decrease in control group's maximum strength, after four weeks training
protocol; the main reason for this significant difference in one repetition maximum between two
groups.
Another finding of this research was a significant increase in vertical jump height in warm up period
plus maximaum half-squat (with postactivation potentiation) before and after the four weeks training

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protocol in comparison with warm up period (without postactivation potentiation). Considering that the
trained subjects participating in this research, the finding was similar with other researcher findings,
including (Abdolmaleki et al., 2011; Huffman et al., 2007; Rikson et al., 2007). Although, a different
results was report in some research such as (Hansen et al., 2007; Hitch et al., 2010) despite to apply
the similar training loads in trained subjects. It seems that the different findings refer to the various
methodologies (high volume resistance training in postactivation potentiation period and lack of
specificity between resistance exercise and vertical jump test as an explosive activity).
Moreover, the results showed that a significant increase in vertical jump height in experimental group
after four weeks complex resistance training (CRT) relative to pre-test, while there appeared no
significant increase in vertical jump height in control group after four weeks training in comparison
with pre-test. Also the results showed that a significant increase in vertical jump height in
experimental group after four weeks training protocol in comparison with control group. Although, the
maximum load in postactivation potentiation has not been used in other research that focus on
complex resistance training, but this findings were consistent with those of (Adams et al., 1992;
Rahimi and Behpur, 2005; Mihalik et al., 2008; Santos and Janira 2008). With regard to the subjects
characteristics untrained (Adams et al., 1992; Mihalik et al., 2008: Rahimi Behpur, 2005: and young
subjects (Santos and Janeira, 2008) in these researches, and considerable improvement of the
maximum strength after conducting 4 to 7 weeks of resistance training (Adams et al., 1992: Mihalik et
al., 2008; Rahimi Behpur, 2005; Santos and Janeira, 2008), it seems that strength improvement and
the new plyometric exercises have been the main sources of the improvements in some researches
including (Adams et al., 1992; Rahimi and Behpur, 2005; Mihalic et al., 2008; Santos and Janira,
2008).
Moreover, the findings of this research showed that no significant improvement in vertical jump height
as a result of postactivation potentiation period after four weeks training protocol between the groups.
In one hand, the subjects experienced the training protocol and resistance exercise just for 4 weeks
with a little increase in their maximum strength; this hypothesis is strengthen that achieving more
favorable results may need more training weeks (Bompa and Haff, 2009:, Kraemer and Fleck, 2007;
Rahimi and Behpur, 2005); on the other hand, with regard to slowing down the athlete's improvement
procedures as a result of improving the level of athlete's physical fitness (Bompa and Haff, 2009:
Rahimi and Behpur, 2005), it is hypothesized that no significant improvement in vertical jump height
as a result of postactivation potentiation period after four weeks training protocol between the groups
in trained subjects caused by the athlete's physical fitness level. Since there has not conducted any
research in this regards and it has been just pointed in some researches that the level of athlete's
physical fitness affect the PAP application (Gourgoulis et al., 2003; Guellich and Schmidtbleicher,
1996; Harrison, 2011; Rixon et al., 2007); apparently there is a serious need for more researches to
answer the question of: does CRT charge the PAP application?
The present research shows that a significant increase in vertical jump height in warm up period plus
maximaum half-squat (with postactivation potentiation) before and after the four weeks training
protocol in comparison with warm up period (without postactivation potentiation) in trained athlete and
can conclude that applying PAP in pre-competition period is more useful for increasing strength and
explosive power in sport events. But, that seems to make any comment on the benefits of PAP with
complex resistance training would be doubtful.

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