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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of three warm-up protocols with different durations in semi-professional soccer players. Fifteen semi-professional soccer players performed three warmup protocols (Wup 25min : 25 min, Wup 15min : 15 min and Wup 8min : 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) than in the Wup 15min and Wup 8min protocols. The Wup 8min protocol was the only one that improved the acceleration ability of the soccer players in this study.

Keywords

• acceleration
• strength
• jump
• agility
• performance
• perceived exertion