Carthy, M. L., Riner, W. F., Pate, R. R., Ward, D. S. Cook, D. L., & DeCillis, L. V. (1998). Protective effects of warm-up protocols in children with exercise-induced asthma. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 872.

The effects of a continuous and interval exercise warm-up on the refractory period of exercise-induced asthma was evaluated in children (M = 10; F = 2; average age 9 years). Continuous plus challenging exercise, interval plus challenging exercise, and a challenging exercise alone control conditions were compared across Ss.

The interval protocol (6 x 30 s runs) decreased the symptoms of exercise induced asthma.

Implication. At least in children, an interval type warm-up is preferable for reducing the onset of exercise induced asthma. It would be interesting to see if a similar effect occurred with older groups.

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