THE EFFECT OF WARM-UP ON SPRINTING KINEMATICS

The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of warm-up on kinematic variables during short distance repeated sprints. Twenty-two college students randomly performed 2 x 30-m running time-trials after warm-up or with no warm-up, in different days. Performance (time-trial) and biomechanical (step length and step frequency) were assessed during both repeated trials. Performance was 0.5% faster after warm-up in the first 30-m time-trial (p = 0.03, d = 0.44), but without differences on step length and frequency. The second sprint was not different between conditions, but it was better than the first sprint in the no warm-up condition. This condition also led to higher changes between the first and second sprint. Thus, the warm-up is suggested to improve maximal running performances and maintaining kinematics more similar throughout the sprints