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

NCT ID: NCT07240597

Last Updated: 2025-11-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 15 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-12-02
• Study Completion Date: 2026-02-28

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.

Detailed Description

All outcome data will be expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The first warm-up section for all athletes will take place in the pool. Subsequently, baseline assessments (T0) will be conducted. Through a randomized study design, each participant will perform three plyometric protocols (squats with elastic bands, box jumps, or a combination of both).

To examine differences in the main outcomes, a repeated-measures ANOVA (4 conditions x 5 time points) will be conducted. When a significant condition × time interaction is detected, post hoc analyses to determine specific between and within-group differences. Effect sizes will be reported as partial eta squared (η²p). Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05 for all analyses

Conditions

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

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Band Squats (BS)

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Squats with resistance band

Intervention Type: 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.

Drop Jump (DJ)

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Vertical jump after dropping from a box

Intervention Type: 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.

Band Squats (BS) + Drop Jump (DJ)

A combination of the band squats and the drop jumps

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Combination BS + DJ

Intervention Type: 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).

Control Group (CG)

Control Group

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Squats with resistance band

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.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Vertical jump after dropping from a box

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.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Combination BS + DJ

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).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 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

Exclusion Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 11 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Palermo

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Giacomo Belmonte

Dr.

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

A.S.D. Swim Power

Bagheria, Palermo, Italy

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Italy

Facility Contacts

Di Salvo Daniele

Role: primary

swimpowerbagheria@hotmail.it

+39 091963710

Other Identifiers

311/2025

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

62141-2025-2

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id