The effect of warm up on speed, jump height and readiness to perform
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Introduction: A warm up is undertaken before exercise to prepare the body for performance, reduce injury and improve performance[1]. Despite evidence suggesting that low intensity static-based warm ups are detrimental to performance[2] they are often included in pre-game warm up routines. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a dynamic-based warm up of shorter duration and higher intensity (DSH) was more effective at preparing elite rugby league players for performance than a warm up that included combined static and dynamic activities of longer duration and lower intensity (Cll). It was hypothesised that the DSH warm up would be superior to the Cll warm up with respect to physical performance measures and player perceptions of readiness to perform. Methods: Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects with testing approved by the JCU research Ethics committee. Elite rugby league players (n=28) completed the DSH and Cll warm up routines in random order, separated by 7 days. Following each warm up, players completed vertical jump and 40 m sprint. Player and coach perceptions of the warm ups and readiness to play or train were determined by questionnaires and interviews. Paired samples T -tests were used to identify significant differences between warm ups (p < 0.05). Results: Players reported no significant differences between warm ups for preparedness to perform vertical jump (DSH: 6.3 ± 1.3 vs Cll: 6.0 ± 1.0, P = 0.25) or 40 m sprint (DSH: 6.3 ± 1.8 vs Cll: 6.3 ± 1.7, P = 0.917). Senior players and coaching staff rated the DSH warm up as significantly better than the Cll warm up (DSH: 7.6 ± 1.3 vs Cll: 6.0 ± 1.1, P = 0.019) after using the DSH warm up in three preseason trial games. ConclusionlDiscussion: The dynamic warm up resulted in significantly faster 40 m sprint times and higher perception of readiness to perform in games compared to the combined warm up. The vertical jump result of no difference between warm ups contrasted available research[3] however this may be due to the dynamic component of the Cll warm up mitigating the detrimental effects of the static component[4]. The players' higher rating of the DSH warm up indicate that the DSH warm up should be used in preference to the Cll warm up as it elicits enhanced sprint performance and psychological preparedness to compete.
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5th Exercise & Sports Science Australia Conference and 7th Sports Dietitians Australia Update Research to Practice
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978-0-9873065-0-0
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1
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Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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Exercise and Sports Science Australia
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Australia
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