## 1 Introduction  
Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) refers to a transient improvement in voluntary exercise performance, such as jumping or sprinting, following a high-intensity voluntary conditioning activity (CA) [1, 2]. The primary mechanisms underlying PAPE are thought to include the potentiation of specific neuromuscular responses, elevated muscle temperature, and changes in muscle water content following a maximal or submaximal CA [3, 4, 5]. Many athletes and strength coaches aim to optimize performance efficiently within a limited number of training sessions. Several studies report that performing under conditions that transiently benefit from potentiating effects may contribute to long-term performance gains over time [6]. Moreover, in elite sports, where marginal performance differences can determine competition outcomes, incorporating an effective CA immediately preceding competitive performance may be desirable. Isometric muscle contractions are widely utilized in both research and training due to their effectiveness in eliciting PAPE. Common modifications in isometric CA involve adjusting variables such as method (overcoming vs. yielding resistance), joint angle, intensity, and contraction duration. However, the optimal distribution of the single repetitions duration in isometric contractions for eliciting the PAPE effect remains unexplored [7,8]. Isometric contractions effectively activate muscles and the nervous system before sprinting [9]. These exercises should primarily target the gluteus, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles, as they are the key muscle groups driving sprint performance. Additionally, isometric exercises improve stability and enhance neuromuscular efficiency [10]. Isometric holds can increase blood flow to the targeted muscles, thus serving as an additional specific warm-up. Furthermore, isometric activation may enhance mental focus, enabling athletes to better engage the muscles required during specific sprint phases. Another advantage of isometric resistance exercises is their relative safety, as they do not impose excessive stress on the joints. Moreover, isometric holds activate stabilizing muscles, potentially reducing injury risk. However, while isometric exercises effectively activate the prime movers for sprinting, they lack the explosive and reactive engagement essential for sprint performance [11,12]. In contrast, plyometric exercises involve rapid, explosive movements utilizing the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) (e.g., bounding, squat jumps, skips). These exercises preferentially recruit fast twitch muscle fibers, mirroring the explosive nature of sprinting. Research indicates that plyometric training induces the PAPE effect, enhancing muscle responsiveness and leading to a greater power output (e.g., bounding, box jumps, skipping) [13]. Additionally, plyometric exercises improve muscle elasticity via the SSC, further augmenting explosive sprint performance. Numerous studies confirm the effectiveness of plyometric training in improving sprint performance, primarily due to its biomechanical and neuromuscular similarity to sprinting [9,14]. Specifically, plyometrics appear most beneficial during the early acceleration phase of a 100 m sprint, as they effectively stimulate fast-twitch fibers and the nervous system in a highly transferable manner to sprint mechanics. Several studies have reported that plyometric exercises can enhance voluntary performance [13,15,16]. Plyometric exercises used as a CA require no specialized equipment and can be integrated into pre-competition warm-up routines. Numerous studies have examined the effects of jump-based CA on performance outcomes [6,8]. For example, [PERSON] et al. [17] demonstrated that performing three sets of 10 alternate leg bounds (five per leg) with an additional load equivalent to 10% of body mass [BM] significantly improved sprint velocity over 10 m and 20 m, with performance assessed 4 and 8 min post CA. Similarly, [PERSON] et al.