Boost Your Tennis Game: A PAP Warm-Up That Packs a Punch 🎾

What Is Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP)? 

Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) (1) is a technique that pairs a heavy resistance exercise (e.g., squat, hip thrust, med-ball throw) with a biomechanically similar explosive movement (e.g., sprint, lateral hop, serve). The heavy pre-load stimulates the nervous system and primes fast-twitch motor units, enhancing force and velocity in the following movement. This approach falls under “complex training”—a staple in sports performance programs.

The trick is finding the optimal balance: heavy enough to activate nerves and muscle fibers, but not so heavy (or too little rest) that fatigue cancels the effect. That sweet spot varies by athlete and sport.  

Why It Works for Tennis Players 

A 2024 review (2) focused on tennis PAP protocols found that upper-body isometric pre-activation (e.g., shoulder MVICs) can boost serve velocity by ~4.6 km/h, and lower-body exercises (like squats or leg press at ~60% 1RM) improve sprint and power metrics.

In junior tennis athletes, a single set of hip thrusts or squats at 60% 1RM improved early sprint acceleration over 5 m and 10 m, as well as peak horizontal force and power.

Your Tennis-Specific PAP Warm-Up Routine 

Step	Focus	Drill	Details
1. Dynamic Warm-Up (8–10 min)	Prepare joints and muscles	Light jog, dynamic stretches, shuttle runs, carioca	Just enough to raise core temp and flowing movement
2A. Lower-Body PAP (Choose A or B)	Boost acceleration & court movement	Option A: Hip  thrust or squat 1×7 reps at ~60% 1RM – Rest 3–4 min	Effective for 5–10 m acceleration in juniors
2B. Upper-Body PAP	Enhance serve  power	2 × 5 s shoulder interna l rotation MVIC (plus optional  flexion)	Improves serve  speed by ~4.6 km/h in young players
3. Active Recovery (3–4 min)	Let fatigue  dissipate	Side shuffles, butt-kicks, trunk rotations	Keeps you warm  while maximizing  PAP window
4. Catalyst Drills (immediately post-recovery)	Tap into  potentiation	Lower‑body drills:  3–5 × 20–30 m “court sprints” + 3 × split‑jumps/lateral hopsUpper‑body  drills: Medicine-ball side throws + 3–5 submaximal power serves	These mirror RTP phases of tennis and serve mechanics
5. On-Court Transition	Carry the edge onto the court	Jump straight into drills, serves or rallies	PAP effects last ~10 min if timed correctly

Tips for Success 

1. Individualize parameters 

2.  • Heavier/lighter loads, shorter/longer rests based on training age & strength  

3. Quantify progress 

 • Measure serve speed and 5 m sprint time before and after PAP to calibrate your protocol 

4. Use smartly 

 • Best timing: before matches, intense practice days—not every session 

5. Periodize wisely 

 • PAP is part of specific-preparation phases (not general prep)

Why This Routine Wins 

• 🔥 Faster starts: Lower-body PAP enhances that first explosive step—essential in tennis. 

• 🎯 More powerful serves: Upper-body isometrics can yield meaningful serve speed gains, without compromising accuracy 

• ⚡ On-court readiness: Transitioning from PAP into sport-specific drills translates neuromuscular readiness directly to tennis movement 

• 🧠 Time-smart & efficient: Bypassing heavy pre-match lifting yet still getting impactful neuromuscular activation 

Final Thoughts 

PAP offers a science-backed edge to warm-ups by acutely heightening power and speed. To maximize benefits: 

• Customize loads and rest for your fitness level 

• Track objective measures 

• Integrate PAP only on match or key training days 

• Blend it into a broader periodized program 

To create something like that with your player, you must now exactly what athlete is and you must try it before on workouts not directly on match.

Personal suggestion with a proffesional tennis player

We are using the protocol 3x3, 3 reps at 70% of 1 rm, 3 sets with 3 min rest between them. The effects of this warm up don't last for whole game but he is getting to game more activated! Also for upper body we are using some medicine balls throws stimulatin forehand and bachand with light weights.

i want the same

1. Li J. Soh KG, Loh SP. The impact of post activation potentation on explosive vertical jump after intermittent time: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Sci Rep. 2024 Jul 26:14(1):17213

2. Germic, Ales MSc1; Filipcic, Ales PhD1; Paravlic, Armin PhD1,2,3. Potential Benefits of Postactivation Potentiation Protocols on Tennis Performance: A Systematic Review. Strength and Conditioning Journal 47(2):p 169-183, April 2025.