Passive Heat Maintenance After an Initial Warm-up Improves High-Intensity Activity During an Interchange Rugby League Movement Simulation Protocol

The influence of passive heating garments worn in temperate and cold conditions prior to simulated performance for male soccer substitutes

Lengthy periods of inactivity are experienced by substitutes during a soccer match, which can decrease muscle temperature, ultimately impacting performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of using a passive heat intervention in both a cold (2°C) and thermoneutral (18°C) environment on simulated soccer performance and perceptual responses. On four occasions, 14 trained male players, completed a pre-match warm-up, followed by 45 min of rest. After, players completed a half-time re-warm-up, followed by an additional 15 min of rest, simulating 60 min as a substitute. During these periods, players wore tracksuit bottoms (CON), or heated trousers (HEAT), over soccer attire. Once 60 min concluded, participants performed a Soccer Match Simulation (SMS) to assess physical performance. HEAT improved 15 m sprint performance in 2°C (2.8%; p < 0.001) and 18°C (2.6%; p < 0.001) conditions. Further, in HEAT, a significant trial and time effect on countermovement jump height and repeated sprint performance was observed in both 2 and 18°C. Upon match entry, participants felt warmer (p < 0.01), more comfortable (p < 0.01), and felt an increase in match readiness following HEAT, during both conditions. Applying heated garments before match entry for soccer substitutes positively impacts physical performance and match readiness in thermoneutral and cold environments.

The influence of warm-up duration on simulated rugby league interchange match performance

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted to understand the effects of a short (10 min) and a long (30 min) duration warm-up on subsequent readiness to exercise and movement during simulated rugby league match play. Methods: Using a randomised cross-over design, 13 male rugby players (age: 23.6 ± 4.1 y) completed 10- or 30-min warm-up immediately before 2 × 23 min rugby league movement simulation protocol. Results: Total distance, high- and low speed running and tympanic temperature (ES = 0.56 to 20.8) were all higher in the 30 min warm-up, with differences in relative distance and heart rate unclear (ES = -0.36 to 0.06). Differences in participants' readiness to exercise after the warm-ups were unclear (ES = 0.25). Differences between trials for movement characteristics (ES = -0.13 to -0.32), RPE (ES = -0.13 to 0.04) and B[La] after the simulation were mostly unclear, with only trivial changes in high-speed running (ES = 0.08) and a lower heart rate (ES = -0.26) between the two playing bouts after the 30 min warm-up trial. Conclusion: Practitioners can use warm-ups between 10 or 30 minutes for rugby league interchange players without any implications for subsequent match running performance.

Self-Selected Versus Standardised Warm-Ups; Physiological Response on 500 m Sprint Kayak Performance

This study investigated the effectiveness of a self-selected (SS) warm-up on 500 m sprint kayak performance (K500) compared to continuous (CON) and intermittent high intensity (INT)-type warm-ups. Twelve nationally ranked sprint kayakers (age 17.7 ± 2.3 years, mass 69.2 ± 10.8 kg) performed CON (15 min at the power at 2 m·mol⁻¹), INT (10 min at 2 m·mol⁻¹, followed by 5 × 10 s sprints at 200% power at VO_2max with 50 s recovery at 55% power at VO_2max), and SS (athlete’s normal competition warm-up) warm-ups in a randomised order. After a five-minute passive recovery, K500 performance was determined on a kayak ergometer. Heart rate and blood lactate (BLa) were recorded before and immediately after each warm-up and K500 performance. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at the end of the warm-up and K500. BLa, heart rate, and RPE were generally higher after the INT than CON and SS warm-ups (p < 0.05). No differences in these parameters were found between the conditions for the time trial (p > 0.05). RPE and changes in BLa and heart rate after the K500 were comparable. There were no differences in K500 performance after the CON, SS, or INT warm-ups. Applied practitioners can, therefore, attain similar performance independent of warm-up type.