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International Expert Consensus on Warm-Up Protocols for Athletes: A Delphi Study
Daniel Boullosa1,2,3, Marina Gil-Calvo1, Anthi Xenofondos4
1Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Universidad de León, León, Spain.
Summary
This international consensus defines sport warm-ups as structured, multifactorial interventions using active and passive strategies to optimize athlete readiness. It highlights context-specific protocols for training and competition, emphasizing readiness monitoring and long-term injury risk reduction.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Athletic Training
Background:
- Warm-up protocols are crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention.
- Existing guidelines lack international consensus, leading to varied practices.
- Optimizing warm-up strategies requires a unified, evidence-based approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the first international consensus on warm-up in sports.
- To define the components, objectives, and applications of effective warm-up strategies.
- To provide a framework for evidence-informed warm-up practices.
Main Methods:
- A 3-round Delphi process involving 23 international experts.
- Online asynchronous discussion and evaluation of 122 statements across 4 domains.
- Consensus achieved on 72 statements (60%) regarding warm-up definitions, objectives, exercises, and health implications.
Main Results:
- Warm-up defined as a structured, purposeful intervention optimizing physiological responses and readiness.
- A 3-layer model proposed: general exercises, specific exercises, and conditioning activities for postactivation performance enhancement.
- Warm-ups are context- and sport-dependent; comprehensiveness is key for effectiveness.
- Evidence supports warm-ups for long-term injury risk reduction, not acute protection.
Conclusions:
- Warm-ups are multifactorial, integrating active and passive components to enhance readiness for training and competition.
- This consensus provides a foundational framework for future research and evidence-based warm-up strategies.
- Standardized warm-up protocols can inform diverse sports disciplines, improving athlete preparation.
