Warm-up

The whole purpose of a warm-up is to prepare the body for an upcoming bout of exercise. Although there are many effects of a warm-up, most of the mechanisms are thought to relate to an increase in body temperature due to the onset of activity; hence the term warm-up. However, temperature related factors are not the only mechanisms; other factors include; elevations in the mental preparedness and/or increases in the activity of the nervous system (sometimes known as post-activation potentiation).

Different beliefs about the contributing mechanisms have led to two major classifications of warm-up being defined; those that include exercise and those that do not. In the sport of football, active warm-ups (i.e., those that require participation in exercise) are commonly used. However, due to the concern that too much energy may be used in the warm-up (which may impair subsequent performances), the warm-up has to be structured in such a way that produces benefits (i.e., both physically and mentally) without compromising match-play performance; this is especially important in non-replayable cup matches where some players that are not substituted may play up to 120 minutes of football and then have to endure penalties.

At scientific-football.com we have carefully compiled the results of a number of research studies in order to provide you or your team with recommendations about the intensity and duration of the warm-up. For more information please contact us.