Athletic performance is based on a number of skills that can be developed through a sports conditioning program. This particular program focuses on improving both muscular strength and power using a technique called post-activation potentiation (PAP), also commonly referred to as complex training.
Complex training combines strength exercises from the load phase of the ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) Model and power exercises from the performance phase to improve both muscle force production (strength) and the rate of force production (power). A complex training set involves performing two exercises back to back, with a brief rest period in between. The first exercise is a strength exercise using a heavy weight for four to six repetitions (ideally fatiguing by the final rep). The second exercise is a power exercise focusing on explosive movement for five to eight repetitions. There should be a 30- to 45-second rest interval between the strength and power exercises and a 90- to 120-second minute rest interval after both exercises.
It is important to perform a number of mobility exercises for a proper dynamic warm-up before attempting a high-intensity training program. There are two ways to do a complex workout: Complete all complex sets of one exercise before moving on to the next, or combine the exercises into a circuit. Circuit training allows you to reduce the rest time between complex sets, which increases the challenge of the workout.
When training a complex training program it is recommended by the experts that no stretching is done as this will relax the muscle and reduce the amount of force production available. Training a complex routine requires quality and not quantity and it all has to do with the attitude that you approach this type of workout, always trying to do the movements as explosively as possible with good form.
Below is an example that can be used for a complex training program. You need to make sure that a normal weight training movement like bench-press is followed immediately by a plyometric movement like a Medicine ball chest pass.
Exercise Reps Rest/Exercise
Squats 3 X 6 2 min
Drop Jumps 3 × 6
Bench-press 3 X 6 2 min
Plyometric press up 3 × 6
Barbell Lunge 3 X 6 2 min
Box Jumps 3 × 6