Research article - (2019)18, 479 - 489
Effects of Specific Core Re-Warm-Ups on Core Function, Leg Perfusion and Second-Half Team Sport-Specific Sprint Performance: A Randomized Crossover Study
Tomas K. Tong1,, Julien S. Baker2, Haifeng Zhang3, Zhaowei Kong4, Jinlei Nie5
1Department of Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
2Institute of Clinical Exercise and Health Sciences, School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton, Scotland, UK
3Physical Education College, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
4Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macau, China
5School of Physical Education and Sports, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macau, China

Tomas K. Tong
✉ Department of Physical Education, AAB935, Academic and Administration Building, Shaw Campus, Hong Kong Baptist University, Renfrew Rd., Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
Email: tongkk@hkbu.edu.hk
Received: 25-03-2019 -- Accepted: 29-05-2019
Published (online): 01-08-2019

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of a specific core exercise program, as a re-warm-up regime during the half-time period, on inspiratory (IM) and core (CM) muscle functions, leg perfusion and the team sport-specific sprint performance in the initial stage of the second half of a simulated exercise task. Nine team-sports players performed a simulated team-sport intermittent exercise protocol (IEP) in two phases, on a non-motorized treadmill, interspersed by a 15-min half-time break. During the half-time period subsequent to the 25-min Phase-1 IEP, the players either rested passively or performed 4-min CM exercise concomitant with inspiratory loaded breathing following 11-min passive recovery. The changes in IM and CM functions, leg perfusion and repeated-sprint ability mediated by the two recovery modes were compared. Following Phase-1 IEP, there was a significant decline in IM and CM functions respectively, revealed by the decreases in maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax: -8.1%) and performance of a sport-specific endurance plank test (SEPT: -29.7%, p < 0.05). With the 15-min passive recovery, the decline in IM and CM functions from pre-exercise levels were not restored satisfactorily (PImax: -6.4%, SEPT: -19.0%, p < 0.05). Moreover, repeated-sprint ability during the Phase-2 IEP tended to decrease (peak velocity: -2.3%, mean velocity: -2.1%) from the levels recorded in Phase-1. In contrast, following the re-warm-up exercises during half-time, the restoration of IM and CM function was accelerated (PImax: -0.9%, SEPT: -3.3%, p <0 .05). This was associated with enhanced repeated-sprint ability (peak velocity: +3.0%, mean velocity: +2.0%, p < 0.05) in Phase-2 IEP. Nevertheless, the changes in the anterior thigh muscle perfusion assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy following the re-warm-up exercises was not different from that of passive recovery (p > 0.05). The findings suggest that a brief inspiratory-loaded CM exercise regime appears to be an effective re-warm-up strategy that optimizes second-half repeated-sprint performance and core function of players in team sports.

Key words: Repeated-sprint ability, high-intensity intermittent exercise, core stability, inspiratory muscle, fatigability

Key Points
  • IM and CM functions of team-sport players were declined after the first half of a simulated team-sport IEP. Passive recovery during the subsequent 15-min half-time break did not restore the declined muscle functions, and this was associated with the debilitated sprint performance during the initial stage of second half.
  • A re-warm-up protocol composed of four running-specific inspiratory-loaded CM exercises carried out in the players after passive recovery for 11 mins during the half-time break could accelerate the restoration of their IM and CM functions, and retain their sprint performance in the second half.
  • The brief inspiratory-loaded CM exercise regime, which could be accomplished within a few minutes in a small space, is a potential alternative to current re-warm-up strategies to optimize the second-half performance in team sport.








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