Affiliations: The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Ayelet Dunsky, The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel. Tel.: +972 9 8639308; Fax: +972 9 8639298; E-mail:ayelet@wincol.ac.il
Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is a general agreement in the physical education
and coaching communities on the importance of warm-up (WU) prior to any
physical performance. Nevertheless, the value of WU remains controversial
among researchers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of
direct, indirect, and combined direct and indirect WU protocols (DWU, IDWU,
and CWU, respectively) on knee extension rate of torque development (RTD). METHODS: Twenty-nine physical education students were tested for
maximal isometric knee extension tests on an isokinetic machine following
each of the WU protocols, as well as following a control condition of no WU.
RTD index was calculated for 50, 100, 150, and 200 ms from the initiation of
knee extension for each trial. RTD values following the four protocols were
compared by repeated measures ANOVA for each of the temporal indices. RESULTS: None of the differences between the protocols' means was
statistically significant at any of the temporal indices. Nevertheless,
individual responses demonstrated that certain participants exhibited a
non-uniform response profile, thus suggesting differential responses to
alternate protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the current protocol and
outcome measures, it is recommended that practitioners experiment with
different WU routines and adjust them on an individual basis.
Keywords: Direct warm-up, indirect warm-up, rate of torque development
