The Effects of Post-Activation Performance Enhancement on High Intensity Interval Training: A Comparison of Traditional and Cluster Set Protocols
European Journal of Sport Science, vol.26, no.4, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 26 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1002/ejsc.70152
- Journal Name: European Journal of Sport Science
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SportDiscus, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Keywords: conditioning activity, conventional set, endurance, intra-set rest, maximal oxygen uptake
- Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the effects of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) protocols employing half-squat exercises, performed using either a traditional set (PAPEtraditionalset) or a cluster set (PAPEclusterset), on peak oxygen uptake ((Formula presented.) O2peak), the time spent at ≥ 90% maximal oxygen uptake ((Formula presented.) O2max), and total exercise duration during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in trained athletes. Ten well-trained endurance athletes involved in endurance sport ((Formula presented.) O2max: 63.3 ± 5.1 mL·kg-1∙min-1) completed three HIIT sessions (until failure x (1-min run at (Formula presented.) O2max velocity + 1-min active recovery at 30% (Formula presented.) O2max velocity)) under different conditions: (i) control (warm-up only: jogging and stretching), (ii) warm-up + three sets of six repetitions of the half-squat (traditional set; 120 s of rest between sets), and (iii) warm-up + three sets of 2 + 2 + 2 repetitions of half-squat (cluster set; 20-s rest after each two-repetition cluster and 80-s rest between sets). No significant differences were found in (Formula presented.) O2peak responses among the three HIIT protocols (control: 62.3 ± 5.1 mL·kg-1·min-1; PAPEtraditionalset: 61.6 ± 4.0 mL·kg-1·min-1; PAPEclusterset: 61.9 ± 3.7 mL·kg-1·min-1; p = 0.198). However, both PAPE protocols increased time at ≥ 90% (Formula presented.) O2max (control: 6.21 ± 0.9 min; PAPEtraditionalset: 7.43 ± 1.2 min; PAPEclusterset: 8.11 ± 1.4 min; p < 0.001) and total work duration (control: 12.0 ± 0.96 min; PAPEtraditionalset: 13.4 ± 1.54 min; PAPEclusterset: 14.4 ± 1.53 min; p < 0.001) compared with control. Additionally, the PAPEclusterset resulted in a significantly longer time spent at ≥ 90% (Formula presented.) O2max (p = 0.005) and total work duration compared with the PAPEtraditionalset (p = 0.043). PAPE protocols, especially using cluster sets, increase time ≥ 90% (Formula presented.) O2max and total work duration during HIIT, potentially enhancing endurance performance.