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Warm ups limit performance.

Well long drawn out tough warm ups seem to.   It makes sense - you get knackered warming up and can't perform as well in the event.  (abstract here)

I reckon they coudl have got even better results with even less of a warm up.

"Our study compared a standard warm-up, with what we termed an experimental warm-up," explains Tomaras. "We interviewed a number of coaches and athletes to come up with the traditional warm-up."

The experiment involved high performance sprint cyclists performing a traditional warm-up lasting about 50 minutes with a graduated intensity that ranged from 60 to 95 per cent of maximal heart rate before ending with several all-out sprints. The experimental warm-up was much shorter at about 15 minutes, and was performed at a lower intensity, ending with just a single sprint. The researchers conducted a number of tests following each warm-up to accurately measure the athlete's power output and fatigue.

"What we found, was that the shorter warm-up resulted in significantly less muscle fatigue and a peak power output that was 6.2 per cent higher. This represents a substantial improvement for an elite athlete," says Tomaras. "On the basis of this study I would suggest that sprint athletes should start thinking about adopting a shorter and less strenuous warm up for better performance.

From here
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Comments

Anonymous said…
No Duh?

Who in the hell warms up for 50 minutes? What a useless study.
May 27, 2011 at 7:05 PM
Anonymous said…
Such studies are always useful to prove a point, it must seem like common sense, but it's always helpful. My favorite part of exercising is the warm up especially when I am doing a boxing session. Warm up's are not suppose to burn you out, but get you prepared for the real workout.

Biscayne Boxing & Fitness Club
May 28, 2011 at 12:29 PM
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