title: Elite sprint swimming performance is enhanced by completion of additional warm-up activities.
abstract: This study investigated the effect of completing additional warm-up strategies in the transition phase between the pool warm up and the start of a race on elite sprint swimming performance. Twenty-five elite swimmers (12 men, 20 ± 3 years; 13 women, 20 ± 2 years, performance standard ~807 FINA2014 points) completed a standardised pool warm up followed by a 30-min transition phase and a 100-m freestyle time trial. During the transition phase, swimmers wore a tracksuit jacket with integrated heating elements and performed a dry land-based exercise routine (Combo), or a conventional tracksuit and remained seated (Control). Start (1.5% ± 1.0%, P = 0.02; mean ± 90% confidence limits) and 100-m time trial (0.8% ± 0.4%, P < 0.01) performances were improved in Combo. Core temperature declined less (-0.2°C ± 0.1°C versus -0.5°C ± 0.1°C, P = 0.02) during the transition phase and total local (trapezius) haemoglobin concentration was greater before the time trial in Combo (81 µM ± 25 µM versus 30 µM ± 18 µM, P < 0.01; mean ± standard deviation) than in Control. Combining swimmers traditional pool warm up with passive heating via heated jackets and completion of dry land-based exercises in the transition phase improves elite sprint swimming performance by ~0.8%.
authors.affiliation: a University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health , University of Canberra , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: Courtney J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: a University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health , University of Canberra , Canberra , Australia.|b Discipline of Physiology , Australian Institute of Sport , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Pyne
authors.affiliation: a University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health , University of Canberra , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: c School of Public Health , Indiana University Bloomington , Bloomington , IN , USA.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Raglin
authors.affiliation: d Swimming Australia Pty Limited , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.affiliation: a University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health , University of Canberra , Canberra , Australia.|e Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health , University of Canberra , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rattray
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D003020:Clothing; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D063996:Warm-Up Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Passive heat maintenance; elite swimming; freestyle performance; tissue oxygenation