Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of
velocity-based training (VBT) conditioning activities (CA) on subsequent
athletic performance and explore how different CA types, velocity loss (VL)
thresholds, loads, sets, participants, and rest intervals influence
postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE). Six electronic databases were
searched. Nine studies were included, reporting 18 effect sizes and comprising
152 participants. We assessed pre- and posttest differences using meta-analysis,
conducted subgroup analyses to identify potential moderating factors, and
employed nonlinear meta-regression to explore the relationship between rest
intervals and the PAPE effect. The results showed that VBT-CA significantly
improved athletic performance. Subgroup analyses showed no significant
differences; nevertheless, bench press-type CA, CA with VL≤10%, load≥80%
one-repetition maximum (1RM), single-set CA, and athlete population exhibited a
trend toward larger PAPE effects. Between 5.77 and 12.8 minutes after VBT-CA, a
significant PAPE effect was indicated by the meta-regression results, with the
optimal time point being 8.96 minutes. Our study suggests that VBT-CA can
effectively induce the PAPE effect. Individuals seeking to improve their
athletic performance could consider performing a single set of CA with load≥80%
1RM, VL≤10%, 5.8–12.8 minutes before the explosive activity.
Keywords
velocity loss threshold - resistance training - rest interval - conditioning activity
