Influence of warm-up duration on perceived exertion and subsequent physical performance of soccer players

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of three warm-up protocols with different durations in semiprofessional soccer players. Fifteen semi-professional soccer players performed three warm-up protocols (Wup(25min): 25 min, Wup(15min): 15 min and Wup(8min): 8 min duration) on three different days. Before (pre-test) and after (post-test) each warm-up protocol, the players’ physical performance (sprint, vertical jump and change of direction) was evaluated and all the players were asked to respond to the subjective scale of readiness to play a match. Also, after completing each warm-up protocol, all players responded to the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Although all protocols significantly improved the feeling of players being prepared to play the game (p<0.05 or p<0.01), after performing the Wup(25min) protocol the players performed worse in the 10 m sprint (p<0.01) and in the 20 m sprint (p<0.05). However, the Wup(8min) protocol significantly improved performance in both the 10 m sprint (p<0.05) and the 20 m sprint (p<0.05). In addition, with the Wup(25min) protocol players stated a higher perceived exertion (RPE) (p < 0.05) than in the Wup(15min) and Wup(8min) protocols. The Wup(8min) protocol was the only one that improved the acceleration ability of the soccer players in this study.