Bench Press During Squat Conditioning and PAPE

This study investigated whether incorporating an upper-body resistance exercise during the inter-set recovery periods of a lower-body conditioning activity affects subsequent post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in competitive male basketball players. The study used a randomized parallel-group design. Participants were assigned to either a squat-only conditioning activity group (SQ) or a squat plus bench press group (SQ+BP).

The conditioning activity consisted of three sets of three back squat repetitions performed at 85% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. Participants in the SQ group performed no additional exercise during the inter-set recovery periods. Participants in the SQ+BP group performed three bench press repetitions at 75% of 1RM, initiated 90 seconds after each squat set. Thus, the total conditioning activity differed between groups only by the inclusion of the bench press exercise during the recovery periods.

Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance was assessed before the conditioning activity and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set. At each assessment time point, participants performed two maximal CMJ attempts separated by approximately 5 seconds, and the best attempt was retained for analysis. CMJ testing was performed without arm swing, with participants keeping their hands on their hips throughout the movement.

The study also examined individual variability in the response to the conditioning activity. Participants were classified according to whether their improvement in CMJ performance exceeded a predefined smallest worthwhile change threshold. The time point at which each participant achieved their highest CMJ performance was also used to characterize the individual timing of the PAPE response.

The study was conducted in competitive male basketball players competing in the Polish First Basketball League. Participants had at least two years of systematic resistance training experience and regularly participated in team practices and official league competition. Participants were instructed to refrain from strenuous exercise, alcohol consumption, and caffeine intake for 24 hours before testing. The study procedures were approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice (approval no. 3/2021) and were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Inclusion criteria

• Male basketball players competing in the Polish First Basketball League
• At least 2 years of systematic resistance training experience
• Regular participation in team practices and official league competition

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal injury within the 6 months preceding the study