Delayed potentiation effects on neuromuscular performance after optimal load and high load resistance priming sessions using velocity loss.

(i) to compare the effects of two different low-volume resistance priming sessions, where the external load is modified on neuromuscular performance after 6 h of rest; and (ii) to identify the effects on psychological readiness in participants with resistance training experience. Eleven participants (Body mass: 77.0 ± 8.9 kg; Body height: 1.76 ± 0.08 m; Half squat repetition maximum: 139.8 ± 22.4 kg) performed the priming session under three experimental conditions in a randomized and cross-over design during the morning. The control (CON) condition: no resistance training, "optimal load" (OL) condition: two half-squat sets with a velocity loss of around 20% were performed with the "optimal load", and 80% of repetition maximum (80% RM) condition: 2 half-squat sets with a velocity loss of around 20% were performed with the 80% RM. Countermovement jump (CMJ), mean power with OL (MP) and 80% RM (MP), and mean velocity with OL (MV) and 80% RM (MV) were assessed six hours after the intervention. Subjective readiness was also recorded prior to resistance training and evaluation. Significance was set at <0.05. CMJ was higher after the 80% RM intervention than CON (<0.001; Δ = 6.5% [3.4-9.5]). MP and MV seemed to be unaffected by both morning sessions. Higher MP ( = 0.044; Δ = 9.7% [4.0-15.6];  = 0.24[0.10-0.37]) and MV ( = 0.004; Δ = 8.1% [3.2-13.3];  = 0.32[0.13-0.52]) after 80% RM than after CON were observed. No effect was observed on psychological readiness. Conclusions: 80% RM priming session increased CMJ height and the capacity to generate power and velocity under a high-load condition without any effect on psychological readiness.