Effect of warm-up on metabolic responses to strenuous exercise

Aerobic and anaerobic energy transformations were measured in two trained runners during 90-sec treadmill runs at 23.6 km/hr (2% grade). The runs were preceded by rest or either of two warm-ups: 1) 15-min run at 10 km/hr, or 2) 15-min run at 10 km/hr followed by 3-min standing. Compared with runs without warm-up, during the third half minute of runs following both types of warm-up 11% greater heart rates (HR), 8% greater oxygen consumption (Vo2), and unchanged ventilation were recorded. The rate constant of the approach of Vo2 to O2 in the first minute of work was unaffected by warm-up. Runs following either warm-up resulted in 25% lower lactate production; during these runs 3 to 4 degrees C higher gastrocnemius muscle temperatures (Tm) were maintained. The differences in HR, Vo2, and Tm continued throughout exhausting 5-min runs at 20.9 km/hr (2% grade). An elevated muscle temperature may therefore be requisite for the maximal aerobic response to a short exhausting run.