High-Intensity Re-Warm-Ups Enhance Soccer Performance

Abstract

The effects of high-intensity, short-duration, re-warm-ups on team-sport-related performance were investigated. In a randomised, cross-over study, participants performed 2×26-min periods of an intermittent activity protocol (IAP) on a non-motorized treadmill, interspersed by 15-min of passive recovery (CON); 3-min small-sided game (SSG); or a 5RM leg-press. Measures included counter-movement jump, repeated-sprint, the Loughborough soccer passing test (LSPT), blood lactate concentration, heart-rate, and perceptual measures. Data were analyzed using effect size (90% confidence intervals), and percentage change; determining magnitudes of effects. A 5RM re-warm-up improved flight-time to contraction-time ratio when compared to SSG (9.8%, ES; 0.5±0.3) and CON (ES: 9.4%, 0.7±0.5) re-warm-ups, remaining higher following the second IAP (8.8%, ES; 0.5±0.3 and 10.2%, ES; 0.6±0.6, respectively). Relative-maximum rate-of-force development was greater in the 5RM condition following the second IAP compared to SSG (29.3%, ES; 0.7±0.5) and CON (16.2%, ES; 0.6±0.6). Repeated-sprint ability during the second IAP improved in the 5RM re-warm-up; peak velocity, mean velocity, and acceleration were 4, 3, and 18% greater, respectively. Within groups, the SSG re-warm-up improved LSPT performance post-intervention; 6.4% (ES: 0.6±0.8) and following the second IAP 6.2% (ES: 0.6±0.6), compared to pre-intervention. A 5RM leg-press re-warm-up improved physical performance, while a SSG re-warm-up enhanced skill execution following standardized intermittent exercise.

Key words

team-sports - football - potentiation

• References

• 1 Ali A. Measuring soccer skill performance: a review. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2011; 21: 170-183
• 2 Ali A, Williams C, Hulse M, Strudwick A, Reddin J, Howarth L, Eldred J, Hirst M, McGregor S. Reliability and validity of two tests of soccer skill. J Sports Sci 2007; 25: 1461-1470
• 3 Bangsbo J, Iaia FM, Krustrup P. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test: A useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports Med 2008; 38: 37-51
• 4 Bergh U, Ekblom B. Influence of muscle temperature on maximal muscle strength and power output in human skeletal muscles. Acta Physiol Scand 1979; 107: 33-37
• 5 de Luca CJ, Foley PJ, Erim Z. Motor unit control properties in constant-force isometric contractions. J Neurophysiol 1996; 76: 1503-1516
• 6 Edwards RH, Hill DK, Jones DA, Merton PA. Fatigue of long duration in human skeletal muscle after exercise. J Physiol 1977; 272: 769-778
• 7 Foster C, Florhaug JA, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin LA, Parker S, Doleshal P, Dodge C. A new approach to monitoring exercise training. J Strength Cond Res 2001; 15: 109-115
• 8 Gould D, Kelly D, Goldstone L, Gammon J. Examining the validity of pressure ulcer risk assessment scales: developing and using illustrated patient simulations to collect the data. J Clin Nurs 2001; 10: 697-706
• 9 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
• 10 Hill CA, Thompson MW, Ruell PA, Thom JM, White MJ. Sarcoplasmic reticulum function and muscle contractile character following fatiguing exercise in humans. J Physiol 2001; 531: 871-878
• 11 Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 3-13
• 12 Lee TD. Transfer-Appropriate Processing: A Framework for Conceptualizing Practice Effects in mMotor Learning. Complex Motor Behaviour: The Motor-Action Controversy. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science; 1988: 201-215
• 13 Lovell RJ, Kirke I, Siegler J, McNaughton LR, Greig MP. Soccer half-time strategy influences thermoregulation and endurance performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2007; 47: 263-269
• 14 Mitchell CJ, Sale DG. Enhancement of jump performance after a 5-RM squat is associated with postactivation potentiation. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; 111: 1957-1963
• 15 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Match performance of high – standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. J Sports Sci 2003; 21: 519-528
• 16 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Nybo L, Nielsen JJ, Bangsbo J. Muscle temperature and sprint performance during soccer matches – beneficial effect of re-warm-up at half-time. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2004; 14: 156-162
• 17 Moore RL, Stull JT. Myosin light chain phosphorylation in fast and slow skeletal muscles in situ. Am J Physiol 1984; 247: C462-C471
• 18 Morana C, Perrey S. Time course of postactivation potentiation during intermittent submaximal fatiguing contractions in endurance- and power-trained athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23: 1456-1464
• 19 Racinais S, Connes P, Bishop D, Blonc S, Hue O. Morning versus evening power output and repeated-sprint ability. Chronobiol Int 2005; 22: 1029-1039
• 20 Rampinini E, Impellizzeri FM, Castagna C, Azzalin A, Bravo DF, Wisloff U. Effect of match-related fatigue on short-passing ability in young soccer players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008; 40: 934-942
• 21 Reilly T, Bangsbo J, Franks A. Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer. J Sports Sci 2000; 18: 669-683
• 22 Sale DG. Postactivation potentiation: role in human performance. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2002; 30: 138-143
• 23 Serpeillo RF, McKenna JM, Stepto KN, Bishop JD, Aughey JR. Performance and physiological responses to repeated-sprint exercise: a novel multiple-set approach. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 111: 669-678
• 24 Sirotic AC, Coutts AJ. The reliability of physiological and performance measures during simulated team-sport running on a non-motorised treadmill. J Sci Med Sport 2007; 11: 500-509
• 25 Stewart D, Macaluso A, De Vito G. The effect of an active warm-up on surface EMG and muscle performance in healthy humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 2003; 89: 509-513
• 26 Zois J, Bishop D, Ball K, Aughey JR. High-intensity warm-ups ilicit superior performance to a current soccer warm-up routine. J Sci Med Sport 2011; 14: 522-528