Effect of Warm-Up in Limited Area on Lactic Acid, Isokinetic Strength, and Nerve Conduction Velocity in Elite Athletes

Abstract

PURPOSE This study aimed to observe whether applying jogging, WBV, and PWU as warm-up exercises positively affected the neuro-physiological responses and physical fitness measurements in elite indoor and winter sports athletes. METHODS Elite bobsleigh (n=4, height; 180.2±2.93, weight; 93.5±2.41) and squash (n=5, height; 177.8±2.86, weight; 77.8±4.21) athletes were recruited. To verify the effect of the treatment, the whole body vibration (WBV), plyometric (PWU), and jogging treatment were performed for 10 minutes each week. Lactic acid, nerve conduction velocity (pre, post, 3 minutes, 5 minutes), and isokinetic test of three velocity (60, 180, 240°/sec) were measured. RESULTS There were significant differences between control, WBV, and PWU in lactic acid after the 3 min test (χ2 =9.036, p=.021), and WBV and PWU showed higher lactic acid than control. Nerve conduction velocity was different between control and PWU after the 3 min test (χ2 =8.242, p=.041), and PWU showed faster conduction velocity than control. Isokinetic strength was found to be different between control and PWU (χ2 =8.799, p=.032), and PWU showed higher average power than control. CONCLUSIONS It is considered that plyometric is a suitable warm-up exercise that can be easily applied according to harsh space and weather changes. Additionally, the test should be conducted in more sports.

Keywords

• bobsleigh
• squash
• whole body vibration
• plyometric
• nerve conduction