Very-Short-Duration, Low-Intensity Half-Time Re–warm up Increases Subsequent Intermittent Sprint Performance

Abstract

Yanaoka, T, Hamada, Y, Kashiwabara, K, Kurata, K, Yamamoto, R, Miyashita, M, and Hirose, N. Very-short-duration, low-intensity half-time re–warm up increases subsequent intermittent sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3258–3266, 2018—This study investigated the effect of very-short-duration, low-intensity half-time re–warm up (RW) on subsequent intermittent sprint performance. Using a randomized cross-over design, 11 healthy men performed 3 trials. In the experimental trials, participants performed the first 40-minute intermittent exercise followed by a 15-minute half-time. The interventions at half-time were 15 minutes of seated rest (control), 3 minutes of moderate-intensity RW (cycling at 60% of maximal oxygen uptake [V̇o2max]; [60% RW]), and 3 minutes of low-intensity RW (cycling at 30% of V̇o2max; [30% RW]). After half-time, participants performed the Cycling Intermittent-Sprint Protocol (CISP), which consisted of 10 seconds of rest, 5 seconds of maximal sprint, and 105 seconds of active recovery at 50% of V̇o2max, with the cycles repeated over the 20-minute duration. The mean work and electromyogram amplitude during the sprint in the CISP were higher in both RW trials than in the control trial (p < 0.05). Muscle temperature, estimated from the skin temperature, at 60 minutes was higher in the 60% RW trial than in the control and 30% RW trials (p < 0.05). The mean change in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration during active recovery at 55–65 minutes tended to be higher in both RW trials than in the control trial (60% RW trial: p = 0.06, 30% RW trial: p = 0.06). In conclusion, very-short-duration, low-intensity RW increased intermittent sprint performance after the half-time, in comparison with a traditional passive half-time practice, and was as effective as a moderate-intensity RW when matched for total duration.

The Efficacy of Re-Warm-Up Practices during Half-Time: A Systematic Review

“…Of the 14 included studies, seven were described as crossover trials [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] and five as counter-balanced studies [ 13 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…The study’s samples ranged from 7 to 22 participants (age range: 16–33 years), with a competitive level varying from amateur to elite. Participants were soccer players in seven studies [ 11 , 12 , 16 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], two studies involved rugby players [ 8 , 13 ], two investigations proposed an intermittent sport-like activity [ 17 , 19 ], and three trials included active people [ 14 , 15 , 20 ].…”

“…Regarding the type of exercise period or sports competition carried out just before and after the breaks, two studies performed a soccer match [ 11 , 23 ], five conducted a field-based test [ 12 , 17 , 21 , 22 , 24 ], and seven opted for a laboratory test [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…All RW-U strategies were performed during a break between two exercise phases and lasted between 5 s and 15 min. The majority of the proposed RW-U activities started after 1 to 14 min of passive rest [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 23 , 24 ]. The proposed RW-U routine ranged in intensity from maximum to very low.…”

A 1-Minute Re-warm Up at High-Intensity Improves Sprint Performance During the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test

“…However, only 58% of players utilize this strategy because the RW duration of previous protocols exceeds a realistic time frame to be able to implement this strategy ( Towlson et al, 2013 ). A previous study recommended within 3-min RW for practical application ( Towlson et al, 2013 ), and recent studies reported the effectiveness of a 3-min RW on exercise performance ( Yanaoka et al, 2018a , b ; Fashioni et al, 2020 ). To make RW more applicable, it is necessary to develop an RW that players can perform in a short time-frame (within 1 min) of leaving the dressing room and the commencement of the second half.…”