NCT07240597

Acute Effects of Different Warm-Up Protocols in Competitive Young Swimmers

Acute Effects of Different Potentiation Protocols During Warm-Up in Competitive Young Swimmers: A Randomized Crossover Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Palermo · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 11 Years – 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Several warm-up strategies are commonly employed by athletes to optimize athletic performance and minimize the risk of injury. Recently, Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) has been demonstrated to be effective in improving athletic performance. Nevertheless, the difference with the general warm-up is still unclear and poorly studied. Conventionally, short-term performance improvements achieved after brief periods of maximal activity have been attributed to PAP, a muscle memory mechanism that generates involuntary and short-lived effects (\~28 seconds). This condition appears to be activated only by a history of localized maximal contractions. In the literature, various conditioning protocols with differing durations and intensities have been explored, often finding conflicting results in terms of athletic performance. In swimming, few PAPE warm-up protocols outside the pool have been studied, despite their potential usefulness considering the waiting times before competitions. Therefore, this study explores the effects of three different warm-up protocols in young swimmers. Specifically, different exercise protocols will be included in the athletes' usual warm-up routine, aimed at improving athletic performance through PAPE effects. In line with existing literature, the performance parameters examined are the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the times recorded for covering race distances ( 25 m, 50 m, 100 m). In addition, skin temperature, heart rate (HR), muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), and perceived exertion (RPE) are also measured after the protocols to investigate possible relationships with performance measures. Nevertheless, the primary aim of this study is to compare different warm-up protocols in young swimmers to maximize their athletic performance.

Detailed description

All outcome data will be expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The first warm-up section for all athletes will take place in the pool. Subsequently, baseline assessments (T0) will be conducted. Through a randomized study design, each participant will perform three plyometric protocols (squats with elastic bands, box jumps, or a combination of both). To examine differences in the main outcomes, a repeated-measures ANOVA (4 conditions x 5 time points) will be conducted. When a significant condition × time interaction is detected, post hoc analyses to determine specific between and within-group differences. Effect sizes will be reported as partial eta squared (η²p). Statistical significance will be set at p \< 0.05 for all analyses

Conditions

• Athletes
• Post Activation Potentiation
• Countermovement Jump
• Performance
• Warm-up

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Squats with resistance band	The elastic band squat protocol consisted of four sets of four repetitions with two minutes of recovery between sets (estimated total time: 9 minutes). Participants in a standing position should take one of the four elastic resistance bands (GymBeam), anchor it under their feet, and under each shoulder.
OTHER	Vertical jump after dropping from a box	A box for plyometric training (Yes4All) will be used in its 45 cm height section. The protocol consists of three sets of four repetitions. Fifteen seconds of recovery time will be allowed to reposition above the box, and three minutes of recovery time between sets (estimated total time: 10 minutes). Participants will be encouraged to reach maximum height with each jump, without bending their knees during the flight phase.
OTHER	Combination BS + DJ	A combination of squats with an elastic band and vertical plyometric jump after dropping from a box. The protocols are the same as those described in the other interventions (total estimated time: 19 minutes).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-02
• Primary completion: 2026-01-01
• Completion: 2026-02-01
• First posted: 2025-11-21
• Last updated: 2025-11-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Italy