Balancing Potentiation & Fatigue

February, 5 2010

If you’ve ever participated in a pick up game of whatever after lifting, you probably noticed feeling stronger for a while. The scientific name for this physiological phenomenon is postactivation potentiation. A study published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research examines the timeframe that certain individuals can take advantage of this short-lived boost in strength.

Scientists recruited a dozen guys with resistance training experience and had them perform a number of lifts. They found that strength was a determining factor in potentiation, with stronger subjects peaking within 5 to 10 minutes of ending their session. The weaker guys needed more time to recover and peaked between 15 and 20 minutes after lifting.