Post-activation performance enhancement of dynamic stretching and heavy load warm-up strategies in elite tennis players

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Moreno-Pérez, Victor^a | Hernández-Davó, Jose Luis^b | Nakamura, Fabio^{c; d} | López-Samanes, Álvaro^{e; *} | Jiménez-Reyes, Pedro^f | Fernández-Fernández, Jaime^g | Behm, David G.^h

Affiliations: [a] Sports Research Center, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Alicante, Spain | [b] Faculty of Health Sciences, University Isabel I, Burgos, Spain | [c] Associate Graduate Program in Physical Education UPE/UFPB, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil | [d] Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University Institute of Maia (ISMAI), Maia, Portugal | [e] Exercise Physiology Group, School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain | [f] Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain | [g] Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, University of León, León, Spain | [h] School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Álvaro López-Samanes, School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Carretera de Pozuelo a Majadahonda, km 1.800, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 917091400 Ext.1955; E-mail: alvaro.lopez@ufv.es.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the potential post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effects of two different warm-up strategies, involving dynamic stretching (DS) or heavy load leg press (HL) on several key physical qualities in tennis players. METHODS: Twenty-six elite male tennis players (age: 19.22 ± 4.20 years; body mass: 67.37 ± 8.19 kg; height: 1.77 ± 0.07 m) performed both warm-ups, with 48-hours between protocols (DS and HL), performed in a randomized order. Pre- and post-tests included: countermovement jump, 5-m and 10-m sprint, 5-0-5 agility test, and hip extension and flexion range-of-motion which were performed before and after DS and HL warm-up protocols. RESULTS: The DS warm-up led to substantial improvements in 5-m and 10-m sprint, 5-0-5 agility test, countermovement jump, and also to higher hip flexion range-of-motion. The HL warm-up caused impairments in 5-m and 10-m sprints, but improvements in 5-0-5 agility test, countermovement jump and hip extension range-of-motion. Compared to HL, DS warm-up induced possibly to likely positive effects on 5-m and 10-m linear sprint performance, as well as in hip flexion range-of-motion. Nevertheless, no differences in performance improvements in 5-0-5 agility test, countermovement jump and hip extension range-of-motion were found when comparing DS and HL warm-up protocols. CONCLUSION: DS seems to be more effective than HL when performing a short warm-up protocol in elite tennis players.

Keywords: Racquet sport, vertical jump, sprint, range of motion

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-191710

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 413-423, 2021