Warm-up durations and time-of-day impacts on rate of perceived exertion after short-term maximal performance

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effects of different active warm-up (AWU) durations on the diurnal variations of power output during the Wingate test and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Eleven male handball players, volunteered to take part in this study, underwent six Wingate tests at 08:00 and 18:00 h after 5 (AWU5), 15 (AWU15), or 20 min (AWU20) of AWU. All the warm-up protocols consisted of pedaling at a constant pace of 60 rpm against 50% of the maximal aerobic power. RPE scores were recorded after the AWU and Wingate test. During the Wingate test, the peak (PP), the mean power (MP), and the fatigue index were measured. The RPE values were not affected by the time-of-day after both AWU and the Wingate test. The PP and MP during the Wingate test were: (i) higher in the evening in comparison with the morning (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). (ii) Better PP and MP were recorded after AWU15 than after AWU5 and AWU20 at 08:00 h. Time-of-day affects the Wingate test performance, but not the RPE scores. Moreover, before morning competition, subjects could be advised to increase morning AWU, but not longer than 15 min.