Influence of warm-up duration on perceived exertion and subsequent physical performance of soccer players

Biol Sport. 2019 Jun;36(2):125-131. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2019.81114. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of three warm-up protocols with different durations in semiprofessional soccer players. Fifteen semi-professional soccer players performed three warm-up protocols (Wup25min: 25 min, Wup15min: 15 min and Wup8min: 8 min duration) on three different days. Before (pre-test) and after (post-test) each warm-up protocol, the players' physical performance (sprint, vertical jump and change of direction) was evaluated and all the players were asked to respond to the subjective scale of readiness to play a match. Also, after completing each warm-up protocol, all players responded to the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Although all protocols significantly improved the feeling of players being prepared to play the game (p<0.05 or p<0.01), after performing the Wup25min protocol the players performed worse in the 10 m sprint (p<0.01) and in the 20 m sprint (p<0.05). However, the Wup8min protocol significantly improved performance in both the 10 m sprint (p<0.05) and the 20 m sprint (p<0.05). In addition, with the Wup25min protocol players stated a higher perceived exertion (RPE) (p < 0.05) than in the Wup15min and Wup8min protocols. The Wup8min protocol was the only one that improved the acceleration ability of the soccer players in this study.

Keywords: Acceleration; Agility; Jump; Perceived exertion; Performance; Strength.