Acute Effects of Different Warm-Up Protocols in Competitive Young Swimmers

NCT07240597 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 62141-2025-2311/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Several warm-up strategies are commonly employed by athletes to optimize athletic performance and minimize the risk of injury. Recently, Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) has been demonstrated to be effective in improving athletic performance. Nevertheless, the difference with the general warm-up is still unclear and poorly studied. Conventionally, short-term performance improvements achieved after brief periods of maximal activity have been attributed to PAP, a muscle memory mechanism that generates involuntary and short-lived effects (\~28 seconds). This condition appears to be activated only by a history of localized maximal contractions. In the literature, various conditioning protocols with differing durations and intensities have been explored, often finding conflicting results in terms of athletic performance. In swimming, few PAPE warm-up protocols outside the pool have been studied, despite their potential usefulness considering the waiting times before competitions. Therefore, this study explores the effects of three different warm-up protocols in young swimmers. Specifically, different exercise protocols will be included in the athletes' usual warm-up routine, aimed at improving athletic performance through PAPE effects. In line with existing literature, the performance parameters examined are the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the times recorded for covering race distances ( 25 m, 50 m, 100 m). In addition, skin temperature, heart rate (HR), muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), and perceived exertion (RPE) are also measured after the protocols to investigate possible relationships with performance measures. Nevertheless, the primary aim of this study is to compare different warm-up protocols in young swimmers to maximize their athletic performance.

Conditions

Athletes; Post Activation Potentiation; Countermovement Jump; Performance; Warm-up

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Counter Movement Jump (CMJ)

  Initially, the athlete stands upright on a flat surface or force platform, feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips (to eliminate arm swing). Without a pause, the athlete performs a quick downward movement (countermovement) by bending the knees and hips, then immediately jumps vertically as high as possible. The athlete lands in an upright position on the same spot, trying to absorb the impact with knees slightly bent. Jump height and flight time is recorded using an optical system, Optojump™ system(Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) connected to a personal computer with dedicated software(OptojumpTM Next software). The system consists of two optical bars, a receiver and a transmitter, positioned 1m apart. The bars identify ground contact time(with a precision of 1ms) and then convert non-contact time into cm. Based on recommendations on optimal jump height (20 to 60cm).

  Before the start of the investigated warm-up phase (baseline, T0), 15 seconds after the protocols (T1), 3 minutes after the protocols (T2), 6 minutes after the protocols (T3), 9 minutes after the protocols (T4), 12 minutes after the protocols (T5)

• Time Swimming Trials

  In a second moment, after establishing the best warm-up protocol (from among those proposed) with the best recovery (derived from the CMJ height with the time ratio) for each individual, the 25, 50, and 100 m measurements will be evaluated in the pool. This will take place at a later stage in a 25 m pool. The first part of the warm-up will be the same for all subjects, while the second part will be personalized, based on their Post Activation Performance Enhancement.

  Before the start of the investigated warm-up phase (baseline, T0) and after the individual time of recovery resulting from the height of the CMJ (T1)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Skin Temperature

  Before the start of the investigated warm-up phase (baseline, T0), 15 seconds after the protocols (T1), 3 minutes after the protocols (T2), 6 minutes after the protocols (T3), 9 minutes after the protocols (T4), 12 minutes after the protocols (T5)

• Heart Rate (HR)

  Before the start of the investigated warm-up phase (baseline, T0), 15 seconds after the protocols (T1), 3 minutes after the protocols (T2), 6 minutes after the protocols (T3), 9 minutes after the protocols (T4), 12 minutes after the protocols (T5)

• Muscle Oxygen Saturation (SmO2)

  Before the start of the investigated warm-up phase (baseline, T0), 15 seconds after the protocols (T1), 3 minutes after the protocols (T2), 6 minutes after the protocols (T3), 9 minutes after the protocols (T4), 12 minutes after the protocols (T5)

• Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)

  Before the start of the investigated warm-up phase (baseline, T0), 15 seconds after the protocols (T1), 3 minutes after the protocols (T2), 6 minutes after the protocols (T3), 9 minutes after the protocols (T4), 12 minutes after the protocols (T5)

Study Arms (4)

Band Squats (BS)

EXPERIMENTAL

The band squats protocol consists of four sets of four repetitions with two minutes of recovery between sets. Four elastic bands of different resistance will be tested for each participant, and the correct band will be used. During the protocol, subjects will stop at the same depth as a swimming start, with a knee angle between 135 and 145°. All subjects will receive verbal encouragement during the performance in the same way.

Other: Squats with resistance band

Drop Jump (DJ)

EXPERIMENTAL

The drop jump protocol consists of three sets of five repetitions of jumping after falling from a 45 cm box, with a fifteen-second break to reposition over the box and three minutes of recovery between sets.

Other: Vertical jump after dropping from a box

Band Squats (BS) + Drop Jump (DJ)

EXPERIMENTAL

A combination of the band squats and the drop jumps

Other: Combination BS + DJ

Control Group (CG)

NO INTERVENTION

Control Group

Interventions

Squats with resistance band OTHER

The elastic band squat protocol consisted of four sets of four repetitions with two minutes of recovery between sets (estimated total time: 9 minutes). Participants in a standing position should take one of the four elastic resistance bands (GymBeam), anchor it under their feet, and under each shoulder.

Band Squats (BS)

Vertical jump after dropping from a box OTHER

A box for plyometric training (Yes4All) will be used in its 45 cm height section. The protocol consists of three sets of four repetitions. Fifteen seconds of recovery time will be allowed to reposition above the box, and three minutes of recovery time between sets (estimated total time: 10 minutes). Participants will be encouraged to reach maximum height with each jump, without bending their knees during the flight phase.

Drop Jump (DJ)

Combination BS + DJ OTHER

A combination of squats with an elastic band and vertical plyometric jump after dropping from a box. The protocols are the same as those described in the other interventions (total estimated time: 19 minutes).

Band Squats (BS) + Drop Jump (DJ)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 11 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Active participation in competitive training programs (at least 10 hours per week), at least one year of experience in competitions organized by the Italian Swimming Federation, and no recent injuries.
• Experience of resistance training for at least 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• Irregular training participation
• History of injuries in the 6 months prior to the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Palermo: lead

Study Sites (1)

A.S.D. Swim Power

Bagheria, Palermo, 90011, Italy

RECRUITING

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 16, 2025
• First Posted: November 21, 2025
• Study Start: December 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: November 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

IT (1)