Post-Activation Performance Enhancement: Mechanisms, Applications, and Training Implications
A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Athletic Training and Human Performance".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 141
Editors
Interests: muscle metabolism; muscle fatigue and recovery; muscle damage; oxidative stress; high-intensity interval training; neuromuscular performance; eccentric exercise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has emerged as a key concept in contemporary sport science, reflecting the acute improvement in muscular performance following conditioning activities. Despite increasing research output, substantial ambiguity remains regarding the underpinning mechanisms, methodological approaches, and translational applicability across populations and performance contexts. A central objective is to reconcile conflicting terminology and conceptual frameworks (e.g., PAP vs. PAPE), thereby advancing theoretical clarity and standardization within the field. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive and integrative platform to advance the current understanding of PAPE from molecular and neuromuscular mechanisms to applied training strategies.
We seek original research, systematic reviews, and methodological papers that explore the physiological, biomechanical, and morphological determinants of PAPE, including—but not limited to—muscle contractile properties, neural drive, muscle temperature, tendon stiffness, and metabolic factors. Emphasis will be placed on studies addressing dose–response relationships, inter-individual variability, sex- and age-related differences, and the interaction between PAPE and fatigue.
Contributions examining practical applications in athletic populations are strongly encouraged, including sport-specific protocols, warm-up optimization, resistance training programming, and integration within periodized training models. Research bridging laboratory findings with field-based performance outcomes, as well as studies employing advanced technologies (e.g., EMG, ultrasonography, and wearable sensors), are especially welcome.
Ultimately, this Special Issue seeks to consolidate current evidence, identify critical knowledge gaps, and propose evidence-based guidelines to enhance performance while informing future research directions within the broader framework of functional morphology and kinesiology.
Prof. Dr. Gregory C. Bogdanis
Dr. Christos Paizis
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- neuromuscular potentiation
- conditioning activity
- force–velocity profile
- muscle–tendon interaction
- acute performance enhancement
- fatigue–potentiation interplay
- individual responsiveness
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