Eschbach, C., Bunn, J., Magal, M., Vogel, R., & Yow, R. (2012). Warm-up protocol effects on cycle time-trial performance. Presentation 996 at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, San Francisco, California; May 29-June 2, 2012.

Performance has been shown to be enhanced when warm-up precedes an event. During some competitive events athletes may have limited time immediately prior to the event that prevents or shortens a warm-up session. Related to that situation this study examined the effects of warm-up protocol on cycling time-trial power output and time in trained cyclists (N = 16). Ss were assessed for cardiovascular fitness (VO2max and lactate threshold) and provided a familiarization trial for the simulated 5-km time-trial on their own bike on a stationary ergometer. Following preliminary assessment, Ss completed, in random order, one of three protocols: no warm-up, short warm-up consisting of three minutes at 60% of maximal power output, and long warm-up consisting of 10 minutes at 60% of maximal power output on their own bike. During the time-trial, time to completion, average power, and average relative power were recorded for the 1-km split and the 5-km complete trial.

There was no significant difference between the warm-up protocols on time-trial performance and no differences between treatments for the specific variables.

Implication. The lack of statistical significance between protocols could have resulted from them being too similar. Future research should examine longer duration warm-up with alternate intensities. However, it still cannot be ignored that for this endurance cycling task, warm-ups and no warm-ups produced similar effects (or lack of effects).

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