Zochowski, T., Johnson, E.,& Sleivert, G. (2006). Effects of varying post-warm-up recovery time on 200 m time trial swim performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 1560.

It has been suggested that varying the recovery period following a standardized warm-up may affect subsequent swimming performance. The "cool-down" period following warm-up, often imposed by administrators to satisfy ritual procedures (e.g., medal ceremonies) or accommodate media coverage has the potential to negate warm-up effects. This study determined the effects of varying post-warm-up recovery time on a subsequent 200-m swimming time-trial. National caliber swimmers (M = 5; F = 5) swam a 1,500 m warm-up and performed a specialty stroke 200-m time-trial following either 10 or 45 minutes of interruptive passive recovery. Ss completed one time-trial in each condition separated by one week. Blood lactate and heart rate were measured immediately following warm-up, three minutes before, immediately following, and three minutes after the time-trial. Rating of perceived exertion was measured immediately following the warm-up and the time-trial.

Time-trial performance improved significantly following the 10-minute interruption when compared to the performance recorded after 45 minutes of interruption Heart rate and blood lactate were similar in both conditions. However, pre-time-trial heart rate was higher in the 10-minute condition compared to the 45-minute condition.

Implication. Passive periods after completing a warm-up have the potential to negatively effect performance by dissipating warm-up benefits. The longer the period of passivity, the worse is the swimming performance. Pre-race procedures should be instituted that retain the beneficial effects of the warm-up.

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