## 1 Introduction  
The bench press exercise is undoubtedly one of the most common sights in public gyms. It serves as a foundational movement in many sports disciplines that require the development of strength and power, such as powerlifting or combat sports [1, 2, 3]. It is also recognized as one of the fundamental resistance exercises in both professional and recreational training settings [4]. Therefore, for years, the bench press has been a focal point for intensive exploration of training processes, potential benefits, contraindications, and guidelines for this movement pattern across different population groups [4, 5]. Coaches and individuals with considerable experience in strength training employ various activation methods aimed at temporarily or permanently increasing performance in the context of training adaptations or achieving better sports results [6,7]. When analyzing the current scientific literature, the most common among these methods include blood flow restriction (BFR), the use of training devices such as barbell velocity trackers, and, ultimately, eliciting post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) through these techniques [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. In recent years, the PAPE effect has been classified as a distinct phenomenon, differentiating it from the post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect [15,16]. Authors of one publication comparing both phenomena hypothesized that the PAPE effect may be directly linked to neural mechanisms, which are not observed in the PAP effect [15]. The PAPE effect induces short-term modifications in the neuromuscular system, driven by processes occurring at the cellular and biochemical levels [15]. One key mechanism is the phosphorylation of myosin light chains in type II fibers, which increases the sensitivity of the actin-myosin complex to calcium ions, thereby facilitating cross-bridge formation and accelerating force development [17]. Additionally, a higher calcium ion concentration promotes faster recruitment of high-threshold motor neurons, responsible for generating greater power [18]. At the same time, beneficial changes in temperature and cellular hydration have been observed following intense muscle contractions, resulting in improved conditions for myofilament function [15]. These multi-level modulations, together with a possible increase in neural drive, lead to enhanced strength and dynamic performance across subsequent training sets, offering practical benefits for those aiming to improve power and explosiveness in specific movement patterns [17]. Researchers across various sports disciplines have been seeking the \"golden mean\" for inducing performance enhancement in the simplest and most efficient way possible [7]. In sports disciplines where the ability to generate force and power quickly is key (e.g., in the context of high jumps), activation exercise methodology has been based on psychometric exercises, submaximal load squats in different variations, or mechanical methods such as BFR [19,20]. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of high-quality studies that would allow for the formulation of strong hypotheses in this area. In relation to the bench press, research to date has mainly focused on the impact of higher loads (\(\geq\)80% 1 RM) on maximal strength or strength endurance parameters [21,22]. The PAPE effect has relatively rarely been analyzed in the context of barbell movement velocity. Meanwhile, the literature on velocity-based training (VBT) clearly indicates that monitoring barbell speed is crucial for regulating training intensity and objectively determining fatigue levels [23]. A relative increase in fatigue levels translates into poorer sports performance and achieved results, which poses a significant challenge in advanced training [1,24]. A relative decline in power and movement velocity with heavy loads may lead to a lack of progress in strength development or, ultimately, the inability to set new personal records during competitions [25].