Self-Selected Rest Interval Improves Vertical Jump Post-Activation Potentiation.

This study compared the effects of self-selected rest interval and fixed rest interval strategies on post-activation potentiation (PAP) in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Twelve strength-trained male's (age: 25.4 ± 3.6 years; body mass: 78.8 ± 10.5 kg; height: 175 ± 7.0 cm; half-squat 1RM: 188.7 ± 33.4 kg) performed three experimental conditions: 1) fixed rest interval (FRI: CMJ test; 4-min rest interval; 5RM back squat; 4-min rest interval; CMJ test), 2) self-selected rest interval (SSRI: CMJ test; 4-min rest interval; 5RM back squat; SSRI; CMJ test), and 3) control (C: CMJ test; 8-min rest interval; CMJ test). In SSRI, participants were instructed to rest until they felt fully recovered and able to exercise at maximal intensity based on the perceived readiness scale (PR). Significant changes in pre-post CMJ performance were observed in the SSRI condition (38.2 ± 4.6 cm vs 40.5 ± 4.4 cm; p = 0.08; CI: 0.72 to 3.82 cm; ES = 0.93). There were significant differences in post CMJ performance when SSRI was compared to FRI (40.5 ± 4.4 cm vs 37.7 ± 5.1 cm; p = 0.02; CI 0.43 to 5.08; ES = 1.13) and C (40.5 ± 4.4 cm vs. 37.4 ± 5.7 cm; p = 0.01; CI: 0.66 to 5.61; ES = 1.35). The average rest interval length for the SSRI condition was 5:57 ± 2:44 min:sec (CI: 4:24 to 7:30). Our results suggest the use of SSRI was an efficient and practical strategy to elicit PAP on CMJ height in strength-trained individuals.