Vol 13, Issue 4

The Effect of Static Stretching, Mini-Band Warm-Ups, Medicine-Ball Warm-Ups, and a Light Jogging Warm-Up on Common Athletic Ability Tests

June 15, 2020 - By 

Authors

Bryan Christensen, Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
Colin W. Bond, Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
Ryan Napoli, Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
Kelly Lopez, Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
Jason Miller, Athletics Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
Kyle J. Hackney, Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 298-311, 2020.
DOI: 10.70252/OVNN5227

Abstract

Proper warm-up is important for facilitating peak athletic performance and reducing injury risk; yet, warm-up procedures vary considerably amongst coaches and athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a static stretching, medicine-ball, and mini-band warm-ups relative to a light jogging warm-up only on athletic ability test performance. It was hypothesized that static stretching would negatively affect performance, while medicine-ball and mini-band warm-ups would positively affect performance relative to light jogging only. Twelve female collegiate soccer players (19.3 ± 1.2y, 65.2 ± 7.5kg, 1.67 ± 0.07m) participated in this study. Athletes completed each warm-up protocol and all of the athletic performance tests over four sessions in a semi-randomized, counterbalanced order. An omnibus MANOVA with vertical jump height, medicine ball throw distance, 10m and 20m sprint time, and T-test time as the dependent variables was not significant indicating that warm up did not have an effect on subsequent athletic ability test performance [Wilks’ λ = 0.64, F(15,110) = 1.28, p= 0.23, η2= 0.14]. Static stretching warm-up did not negatively influence athletic potential compared to mini-band and medicine ball warm-ups, though the most optimal warm-up is likely athlete specific.

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