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Warming-up is a widely accepted practice performed by athletes before training and competitions, but there is little evidence determining warm-up effectiveness in improving anaerobic performance. The study aimed to determine if performing a dynamic warm-up (DW) before a Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) would improve peak power output (PPO), relative peak power (RPP), mean anaerobic power (MP), and fatigue index (FI) in ice hockey players. Twenty NCAA Division II players performed the Standard National Hockey League WAnT with and without performing a DW before the WAnT (DW+WAnT or WAnT) in a randomized, counterbalanced order. The DW lasted ~6 minutes and consisted of 13 dynamic movements targeting prime movers and joints involved in ice skating. The WAnT consisted of a 30-second maximal effort performed on a mechanical cycle ergometer against a workload representing 7.5% of participants’ body weight. Mean anaerobic power showed a significant increase with DW+WAnT (614.2 ± 122.3 W) compared to WAnT (592.5 ± 120.9 W) (p = .017). Relative peak power showed marginal trends (p = .055) between DW+WAnT (11.8 ± 1.5 W/kg) and WAnT (11.5 ± 1.4 W/kg). There were no differences in PPO and FI following DW+WAnT. Performing a DW before a WAnT significantly improved AC, may improve RPP, and had no detrimental effects on PPO and FI following DW. Collectively, results from this study suggest that a DW prior to the performance of a WAnT improves some anaerobic performance variables. Considering the anaerobic demands of ice hockey, the current information is valuable knowledge for coaches, strength conditioning coaches, and players supporting their preparation for assessment, training, and competition.
Cite this article as: Schleper, A., Ewharekuko-Rempel, M., Scribbans, T., Anzalone, R., & Villar, R. (2021). Effects of dynamic warm-up on anaerobic performance: A randomized, counterbalanced, and cross-over study. Research in Sports Science, 11(2), 39-46.