The effect of a gluteal activation protocol on sprint and drop jump performance

BACKGROUND: This study examined the acute effect of gluteal activation exercises on 10 m sprints and drop jumps (DJ) s performed on a force sledge apparatus. METHODS: Twelve participants completed pre-tests of 10 sprints and 10 DJs with one minute recovery between sprints or jumps. For the 10 m sprints, contact, flight, 5 m and 10 m times were recorded using an Optojump Next system. For DJs, height jumped, contact and flight times, Reactive Strength Index and peak forces were recorded via a force-sledge system. In the post-tests, the participants completed a gluteal activation exercise protocol immediately before the sprint or DJ tests. Results were analyzed using an adapted typical error method and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The repeated measures ANOVA found significant performance related improvements in 5 m and 10 m sprint times, flight and contact times for each step and significant improvements in all jump measures (P<0.05). By contrast, the typical error method showed relatively few instances of potentiation and no clear patterns of fatigue followed by potentiation across all participants in sprint and DJ performances following the gluteal activation protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that gluteal activation exercises do not produce a consistent acute performance enhancing affect; however, their role in injury prevention is unclear.