Impact of an 8-Week Targeted Potentiation Phase in the RAMP Warm-Up Protocol on Agility Performance in Female Police Officers

ABSTRACT: Janković, D, Kukić, F, Radić, I, Čvorović, A, Dawes, J, and Dopsaj, M. Impact of an 8-week targeted potentiation phase in the RAMP warm-up protocol on agility performance in female police officers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Physical strength, speed, and endurance are fundamental physical abilities required for female police officers to perform their duties effectively. Given the need for year-round physical readiness, enhancing specific traits such as change of direction speed (CODS) through a comprehensive training program may significantly improve overall conditioning and performance. This study used a quasi-experimental design with a control group to investigate the effects of a specific warm-up protocol on CODS performance in female police officers. The sample included 44 healthy female police officers aged 23-44 years, divided into control and experimental groups (n = 22 each). Change of direction speed was assessed using the T-test under unloaded and loaded (10 kg vest) conditions, at baseline and after an 8-week training intervention. The experimental group performed exercises in a specifically designed potentiation phase as part of a raise-activate-mobilize-potentiate-based warm-up protocol. Movement speed was measured using the BlazePod reactive light system. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant improvement in T-test performance for the experimental group under both unloaded (F = 4.395, p = 0.048, and η2 = 0.173) and loaded (F = 8.577, p = 0.008, and η2 = 0.290) conditions. The control group showed no significant changes for unloaded T-test (F = 0.083, p = 0.776, and η2 = 0.004) and loaded T-test (F = 0.441, p = 0.541, and η2 = 0.021). These findings suggest that an 8-week intervention incorporating specific potentiation exercises within a dynamic warm-up can enhance CODS performance under both unloaded and loaded conditions.