The effect of a 15-min transition period after warm-up on the performance of male semi-professional soccer players

Abstract

Introduction: Warm-up is essential for optimizing athletic performance in both individual and team sports, though its effects tend to diminish or disappear after a certain period of time. However, in soccer, competition rules mandate a 15-min transition period before the match begins. Purpose: This study investigated the effect of this transitional period on maintaining performance in various physical abilities, including hip flexion range of motion (ROM), countermovement jump (CMJ),10 m and 30 m sprint speed, change of direction (COD) speed (measured via the Arrowhead Agility Test (AAT) for both directions: AATR for right and AATL for left), and repeated sprint ability (RSA). Method: Sixteen male semi-professional soccer players participated in the study, performing either a 25-min traditional warm-up (FIELD WU) or a 22-min pre-warm-up exercise program combined with the traditional soccer warm-up (GYM+FIELD WU). Results: A two-factor mixed ANOVA analysis ("program" and "time") revealed a significant interaction between the two factors only for the variables of ROM (p < 0.001) and CMJ (p < 0.02). Additionally, a significant decline in CMJ performance and a tendency toward reduced AATR performance were observed 15 min after completing the GYM+FIELD WU. Similarly, a significant decrease in ROM and AATL, along with a trend toward reduced 30 m sprint performance, was noted following the FIELD WU program in the same time frame. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the 15-min transitional period following the completion of both the FIELD WU and GYM+FIELD WU has a detrimental effect on the performance of soccer players.