Acute effects of post-activation performance enhancement on half-squat training volume and repetition performance in strength-train men: a randomised crossover study

Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) refers to an acute improvement in voluntary muscle performance following a high-intensity conditioning activity. Although previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of PAPE on power-, sprint-, and jump-related outcomes, its influence on resistance training volume and repetition performance has been less frequently investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the acute effects of a PAPE protocol on repetitions performed to failure and total training volume during the half-squat exercise in resistance-trained men. Methods: Nine resistance-trained men completed a control condition and a PAPE condition in a randomised crossover design. In both conditions, participants performed three sets of the half-squat exercise to volitional failure at the same relative load following condition-specific preparatory protocols. Total training volume and total repetitions were assessed. Results: Total volume load was significantly higher in the PAPE condition compared with CON (7416.67 ± 3041.54 kg vs. 5959.58 ± 3203.86 kg; p = 0.044, t(8) = −2.394). The total number of repetitions performed was also significantly greater under PAPE (20.07 ± 9.04) compared with CON (15.93 ± 10.54; p = 0.039, F = 6.092, η²p = 0.432). Conclusions: The findings indicate that a protocol involving a high-intensity PAPE condition combined with a longer recovery period is associated with acute improvements in repetition performance and total training volume during the half-squat exercise in resistance-trained men. These results suggest that such protocol-specific approaches may influence acute training outcomes, although the independent contributions of potentiation and rest duration cannot be fully isolated. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT06825065, registered on 4 February 2025.