The effects of rest intervals on jumping performance: A meta-analysis on post-activation potentiation studies

The purpose of this meta-analytic review was to examine the extent and quality of research on the post-activation potentiation acute effect of rest interval manipulation on jumping performance. This manuscript adopted the recommendations from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. Criteria eligibility included crossover, randomised, non-randomised and counterbalanced studies that observed the voluntary muscle action-induced post-activation potentiation on jumping performance. Fourteen studies selected by two independent raters were included in the analysis. The rest intervals involved ranges including 03, 47, 812 and16min. The results demonstrated medium effect sizes for rest intervals 03 and 812min (-0.25, Confidence Interval (CI): -0.51 to 0.01 for 03min; 0.24, CI: -0.02 to 0.49 for 812min) and a small effect for other ranges (0.15, CI: -0.08 to 0.38 for 47min; 0.07, CI: -0.21 to 0.24 for16min). There was no evidence of heterogeneity for sub-groups (I 2=0%; P<0.001) and no indication of publication bias (Egger's test, P=0.179). While a rest interval of 03min induced a detrimental effect on jump performance, the range including 812min had a beneficial impact on jump height. Findings suggest that the rest interval manipulation seems to affect post-activation potentiation magnitude and jump height.