Individuality Affects the Efficiency of Basketball Pre-Game Warm-Up on Players' Performance

Abstract

Pre-game warm-up is integral to athletes' preparation before a basketball game. The main objectives of this study were to compare specific performance indicators before and immediately after a basketball pre-game warm-up, and examine the individualized players' responses. The impact of rest intervals after warm-up (9-23 min) was also examined. A total of 20 male basketball players (age: 21.15 ± 2.2 years; body mass: 82.23 ± 10.78 kg; body height: 184.18 ± 7.9 cm) performed a pre-game warm-up and were assessed in selected indicators such as heart rate (HR), flexibility, running speed, and countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJAS) before, immediately after, 9 min and 23 min after warm-up. Immediately after warm-up, HR increased to all players (mean change: 69.78%), while flexibility (mean change: 20.14%) and CMJAS (mean change: 4.95%) increased to the majority of players (except one and two players, respectively). The individualized results regarding speed were conflicting, showing a decrease or increase. However, 9 and 23 min after warm-up, there was a decrease in HR, speed, and CMJAS (p < 0.5), while flexibility remained stable (p > 0.5) in the total sample, with great change variations among players. In conclusion, it seems that each player's individuality may affect the warm-up's efficiency. Thus, it is important to carefully design the pre-game warm-up so that all players will be in the most suitable condition to meet the demands of their competition.

Keywords: flexibility; heart rate; sprint; team sports; vertical jumping ability.

Figure 1

Individual report of an indicative heart rate recording during the warm-up protocol. The grey zone in the figure indicates an intensity level below 60% of age-predicted maximum heart rate (HR_max), the blue zone an intensity level 60–69% of HR_max, the green zone an intensity level 70–79% of HR_max, the yellow zone indicates an intensity level 80–89% of HR_max, and the red zone an intensity level ≥ 90% of HR_max.

Figure 2

Mean score of flexibility (sit and reach test) pre, immediately after, 9 min, and 23 min after warm-up protocol (A) and individualized changes (per participant) in flexibility among the four time points (B). * p < 0.05 vs. pre-warm-up measurement.

Figure 3

Mean score of running speed (10 m sprint test) pre-, immediately after, 9 min, and 23 min after warm-up protocol (A) and individualized changes (per participant) in running speed among the four time points (B). * p < 0.05 vs. pre-warm-up measurement; # p < 0.05 vs. immediately after warm-up measurement.

Figure 4

Mean score of vertical jumping ability (countermovement jump with arm swing—CMJAS) pre-, immediately after, 9 min, and 23 min after warm-up protocol (A) and individualized changes (per participant) in vertical jumping ability among the four time points (B). * p < 0.05 vs. pre-warm-up measurement; # p < 0.05 vs. immediately after warm-up measurement.

Figure 5

Mean score of heart rate pre-, immediately after, 9 min, and 23 min after warm-up protocol (A) and individualized changes (per participant) in heart rate among the four time points (B). * p < 0.05 vs. pre-warm-up measurement; # p < 0.05 vs. immediately after warm-up measurement.