Upper-body post-activation performance enhancement in MMA athletes: Load-dependent effects across multiple explosive tasks

Authors

Jan Strawiński, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland
Dariusz T. Skalski, University of Applied Sciences in Walcz, Poland; Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Magdalena Prończuk, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Kinga Łosińska, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Ewelina Lulińska, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Miłosz Drozd, Institute of Sport Science, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Maciej Kostrzewa, Institute of Sport ScienceFollow
Adam Maszczyk, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland; Institute of Sport Science, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Robert K. Roczniok, Institute of Sport Science, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland;Follow

Abstract

Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has become a recognized method for acutely improving explosive output, particularly relevant to upper-body performance in combat sports. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bench press conditioning activities (CAs) at different intensities (50 %, 65 %, and 80 % 1RM) on upper-body explosive performance in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes, with emphasis on training status. Methods: Twenty-nine male MMA athletes were divided into intermediate (n = 14) and advanced (n = 15) groups. Each participant completed three CA sessions followed by a 4-minute recovery and then performed a plyometric push-up (PPU) and medicine ball throw (MBT). Key outcome measures included peak power (PP), rate of force development (RFD), rate of power development (RPD), and MBT distance. Results: Advanced athletes demonstrated significantly higher peak power after the 80 % CA (p = 0.021, d = 0.77) and improved MBT performance (p = 0.028, d = 0.61). No significant group differences were found in RFD or RPD, but moderate effect sizes (d ≈ 0.40) suggest practical relevance. Greater response variability was observed among intermediate athletes. Strong positive correlations were found between PP, RPD, and RFD. Conclusion: Upper-body PAPE effects are influenced by both CA intensity and training level. High-load CAs (≥ 80 % 1RM) are most effective in eliciting acute explosive responses in advanced athletes, while rate-based and throwing outcomes may require individualized or longitudinal interventions.

Recommended Citation

Strawinski J, Skalski DT, Pronczuk M, Losinska K, Lulinska E, Drozd M, Kostrzewa M, Maszczyk A, Roczniok R. Upper-body post-activation performance enhancement in MMA athletes: Load-dependent effects across multiple explosive tasks. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2025;17(4):Article8. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.17.4.08

Author ORCID Identifier

Dariusz Tadeusz SKALSKI, ORCID 0000-0001-5128-7724

Magdalena PROŃCZUK, ORCID 0009-0005-1478-3151

Kinga ŁOSIŃSKA, ORCID 0009-0009-0227-106X

Ewelina LULIŃSKA, ORCID 0000-0002-1021-8885

Miłosz DROZD, ORCID 0000-0002-4477-2390

Maciej KOSTRZEWA, ORCID 0000-0003-2209-0839

Adam MASZCZYK, ORCID 0000-0001-9139-9747

Robert ROCZNIOK, ORCID 0000-0001-6551-9151

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.