Influence of warm-up duration on physical performance and psychological perceptions in handball players

The purpose of the study was to analyse the effect of two warm-up protocols of different duration on physical performance, perceived load and perception of being ready for a match in handball players. Eighteen handball players were randomly divided into two groups (Wup(34min), warm-up protocol of 34min, Wup(17min), warm-up protocol of 17min). Before and after the warm-up protocols, they performed a battery of physical tests and recorded their perception of feeling ready for a match. At the end of the warm-up protocols, all the players evaluated their differentiated perceived effort (dRPE). The results showed that neither of the protocols significantly modified (p>0.05) the players' physical performance. However, the Wup(34min) group showed higher values in the differentiated warm-up perceived load (dRPE-WL) (p<0.01, TE=0.97-1.27, high) than the Wup(17min) group. The players with a greater perceived muscular load (RPEMUSC) experienced a greater decrease in their acceleration capacity (r=0.48-0.49, p