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

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of three warm-up protocols with different durations in semiprofessional soccer players. Fifteen semi-professional soccer players performed three warm-up 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 or p<0.01), after performing the Wup 25min protocol the players performed worse in the 10 m sprint (p<0.01) and in the 20 m sprint (p<0.05). However, the Wup 8min protocol significantly improved performance in both the 10 m sprint (p<0.05) and the 20 m sprint (p<0.05). In addition, with the Wup 25min protocol players stated a higher perceived exertion (RPE) (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.

Competing Interests: Ethical clearance was received for the research and the authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.