Warm-up strategies and time trial performance in swimmers. Rapid review of the literature

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of various warm-up strategies on time trial performance up to 200-m through a rapid literature review. Using PRISMA guidelines, a search was performed in the MEDLINE/Pubmed database considering experimental studies since 2013. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. From 181 initial records, 16 studies were finally included. All presented a crossover methodological design with low (three studies), fair (12 studies), and good (one study) quality. A total of 161 men and 75 women participated, with a mean age of 17.96 years, competing at university, national, or international levels. In-water active warm-up strategies improved time trial performance by up to 1.48%. Reducing the transition phase after in-water active warm-up improved time by up to 1.50%. Strategies added to in-water active warm-up improved time by up to 2.04%. From this review, we conclude that there is insufficient evidence to support using different warm-up strategies on time trial performance; however, their time reduction percentages represent an interesting option for swimmers and coaches in competitive environments.