Athletic PerformanceNCT07765732
Bench Press During Squat Conditioning and PAPE
A study testing Back Squat Conditioning Activity and Bench Press During Inter-Set Recovery in people with Athletic Performance and Athletic Performance Enhancement, run by The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice at 1 site in Poland.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding a moderate-load bench press exercise during the recovery periods between sets of back squats affects subsequent jumping performance in competitive male basketball players. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletic Performance, Athletic Performance Enhancement
- What is being tested?
- Back Squat Conditioning Activity and Bench Press During Inter-Set Recovery
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 12 Feb 2026to 9 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Male basketball players competing in the Polish First Basketball League
- At least 2 years of systematic resistance training experience
- Regular participation in team practices and official league competition
Who cannot join
- Musculoskeletal injury within the 6 months preceding the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Poland1 site
Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, 40-065
About this study
Official title: Adding Bench Press Between Sets of a Squat Conditioning Activity Does Not Alter the Magnitude or Time Course of the Post-Activation Performance Enhancement Response in Competitive Basketball Players
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding a moderate-load bench press exercise during the recovery periods between sets of back squats affects subsequent jumping performance in competitive male basketball players. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does adding bench press exercise during recovery periods affect countermovement jump height following the squat conditioning activity? Does adding bench press exercise affect the timing and magnitude of the post-activation performance enhancement response? Researchers will compare a squat-only group with a squat plus bench press group to see if performing bench press exercise during the recovery periods affects subsequent jumping performance.
Read more
Participants will:
Perform three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of their one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery periods between sets.
Participants in the squat plus bench press group will additionally perform three bench press repetitions at 75% of their one-repetition maximum during the recovery periods.
Perform countermovement jumps before the conditioning activity and 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after the final squat set.
Read the detailed description
This study investigated whether incorporating an upper-body resistance exercise during the inter-set recovery periods of a lower-body conditioning activity affects subsequent post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in competitive male basketball players. The study used a randomized parallel-group design. Participants were assigned to either a squat-only conditioning activity group (SQ) or a squat plus bench press group (SQ+BP).
The conditioning activity consisted of three sets of three back squat repetitions performed at 85% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. Participants in the SQ group performed no additional exercise during the inter-set recovery periods. Participants in the SQ+BP group performed three bench press repetitions at 75% of 1RM, initiated 90 seconds after each squat set. Thus, the total conditioning activity differed between groups only by the inclusion of the bench press exercise during the recovery periods.
Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance was assessed before the conditioning activity and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set. At each assessment time point, participants performed two maximal CMJ attempts separated by approximately 5 seconds, and the best attempt was retained for analysis. CMJ testing was performed without arm swing, with participants keeping their hands on their hips throughout the movement.
The study also examined individual variability in the response to the conditioning activity. Participants were classified according to whether their improvement in CMJ performance exceeded a predefined smallest worthwhile change threshold. The time point at which each participant achieved their highest CMJ performance was also used to characterize the individual timing of the PAPE response.
The study was conducted in competitive male basketball players competing in the Polish First Basketball League. Participants had at least two years of systematic resistance training experience and regularly participated in team practices and official league competition. Participants were instructed to refrain from strenuous exercise, alcohol consumption, and caffeine intake for 24 hours before testing. The study procedures were approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice (approval no. 3/2021) and were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
- Being tested
- Back Squat Conditioning Activity, Bench Press During Inter-Set Recovery
- Keywords
- Post-Activation Performance Enhancement, Countermovement Jump, Basketball, Resistance Training
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Back Squat Conditioning ActivityBehavioural
Participants performed three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets.
Bench Press During Inter-Set RecoveryBehavioural
Participants performed three bench press repetitions at 75% of one-repetition maximum, initiated 90 seconds after each squat set during the inter-set recovery periods. This intervention was administered only to participants in the squat plus bench press group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Squat-only Conditioning Activity | Experimental | Participants performed three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. No additional exercise was performed during the inter-set recovery periods. Receives: Behavioral: Back Squat Conditioning Activity |
| Squat Plus Bench Press Conditioning Activity | Experimental | Participants performed three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. In addition, participants performed three bench press repetitions at 75% of one-repetition maximum, initiated 90 seconds after each squat set during the inter-set recovery periods. Receives: Behavioral: Bench Press During Inter-Set Recovery |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Countermovement jump height
Countermovement jump height calculated from the vertical velocity of the center of mass at take-off.
Measured: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Secondary outcomes (5)
Countermovement depth
Countermovement depth during the countermovement jump.
Measured: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Eccentric velocity
Eccentric velocity during the countermovement jump.
Measured: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Relative peak power
Relative peak power output during the countermovement jump.
Measured: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Contraction time
Contraction time during the countermovement jump
Measured: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Reactive strength index-modified
Reactive strength index-modified during the countermovement jump
Measured: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Aug 2026
- Study start12 Feb 2026
- Primary completion9 May 2026
- Study completion9 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Athletic PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Michal Krzysztofik, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
- Investigators
- Michał Spieszny, Study chair, University of Physical Culture in Krakow
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07765732
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PAPE
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Adding Bench Press Between Sets of a Squat Conditioning Activity Does Not Alter the Magnitude or Time Course of the Post-Activation Performance Enhancement Response in Competitive Basketball Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07765732
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PAPE
- Keywords
- Post-Activation Performance Enhancement, Countermovement Jump, Basketball, Resistance Training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in KatowiceUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland
- Study start
- 12 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 9 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 9 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding a moderate-load bench press exercise during the recovery periods between sets of back squats affects subsequent jumping performance in competitive male basketball players. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does adding bench press exercise during recovery periods affect countermovement jump height following the squat conditioning activity? Does adding bench press exercise affect the timing and magnitude of the post-activation performance enhancement response? Researchers will compare a squat-only group with a squat plus bench press group to see if performing bench press exercise during the recovery periods affects subsequent jumping performance.
Participants will:
Perform three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of their one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery periods between sets.
Participants in the squat plus bench press group will additionally perform three bench press repetitions at 75% of their one-repetition maximum during the recovery periods.
Perform countermovement jumps before the conditioning activity and 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after the final squat set.
Detailed description
This study investigated whether incorporating an upper-body resistance exercise during the inter-set recovery periods of a lower-body conditioning activity affects subsequent post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in competitive male basketball players. The study used a randomized parallel-group design. Participants were assigned to either a squat-only conditioning activity group (SQ) or a squat plus bench press group (SQ+BP).
The conditioning activity consisted of three sets of three back squat repetitions performed at 85% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. Participants in the SQ group performed no additional exercise during the inter-set recovery periods. Participants in the SQ+BP group performed three bench press repetitions at 75% of 1RM, initiated 90 seconds after each squat set. Thus, the total conditioning activity differed between groups only by the inclusion of the bench press exercise during the recovery periods.
Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance was assessed before the conditioning activity and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set. At each assessment time point, participants performed two maximal CMJ attempts separated by approximately 5 seconds, and the best attempt was retained for analysis. CMJ testing was performed without arm swing, with participants keeping their hands on their hips throughout the movement.
The study also examined individual variability in the response to the conditioning activity. Participants were classified according to whether their improvement in CMJ performance exceeded a predefined smallest worthwhile change threshold. The time point at which each participant achieved their highest CMJ performance was also used to characterize the individual timing of the PAPE response.
The study was conducted in competitive male basketball players competing in the Polish First Basketball League. Participants had at least two years of systematic resistance training experience and regularly participated in team practices and official league competition. Participants were instructed to refrain from strenuous exercise, alcohol consumption, and caffeine intake for 24 hours before testing. The study procedures were approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice (approval no. 3/2021) and were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Squat-only Conditioning Activity | Experimental | Behavioral: Back Squat Conditioning ActivityParticipants performed three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. No additional exercise was performed during the inter-set recovery periods. |
| Squat Plus Bench Press Conditioning Activity | Experimental | Behavioral: Bench Press During Inter-Set RecoveryParticipants performed three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. In addition, participants performed three bench press repetitions at 75% of one-repetition maximum, initiated 90 seconds after each squat set during the inter-set recovery periods. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Male basketball players competing in the Polish First Basketball League
- At least 2 years of systematic resistance training experience
- Regular participation in team practices and official league competition
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Musculoskeletal injury within the 6 months preceding the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Back Squat Conditioning ActivityParticipants performed three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. | Behavioural | Squat-only Conditioning Activity |
| Bench Press During Inter-Set RecoveryParticipants performed three bench press repetitions at 75% of one-repetition maximum, initiated 90 seconds after each squat set during the inter-set recovery periods. This intervention was administered only to participants in the squat plus bench press group. | Behavioural | Squat Plus Bench Press Conditioning Activity |
Primary outcome
Countermovement jump height
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Countermovement jump height calculated from the vertical velocity of the center of mass at take-off.
5 secondary outcomes
Countermovement depth
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Eccentric velocity
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Relative peak power
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Contraction time
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Reactive strength index-modified
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Michał Spieszny study chair
University of Physical Culture in Krakow
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Back Squat Conditioning Activity and Bench Press During Inter-Set Recovery in people with Athletic Performance and Athletic Performance Enhancement, run by The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice at 1 site in Poland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Countermovement jump height (time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after completion of the final squat set). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Aug 2026.