The Effect of Warm-Up on Muscle Strength and Body Temperature in Athletes with Disabilities

Introduction: Paralympic powerlifting (PP) is a sport in which the bench press is the sole exercise. Warm-up routines are considered essential for optimal performance. Objectives: This study aims to analyze different types of warm-up protocols—traditional warm-up (TW), post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), and without warm-up (WW)—and their effects on dynamic strength indicators, core temperature, and skin temperature in athletes with disabilities. Methods: Fourteen nationally ranked PP athletes participated in the study. Their performance was evaluated following different warm-up protocols. Dynamic variables analyzed included Maximum Velocity (VMax), Mean Propulsive Velocity (MPV), and Power output. Additionally, tympanic and skin temperatures were measured. Results: No significant differences were observed in dynamic strength indicators across the different warm-up protocols. Thermographic analysis revealed differences only in the triceps muscle between PAPE and TW (p< 0.001), TW and WW (p=0.004), and PAPE and WW (p=0.015). Differences were also observed between TW and WW (p=0.026). Ten minutes post-warm-up, differences were noted between PAPE and WW (p< 0.001) and TW and WW (p=0.001). In the WW condition, significant differences were found between pre-warm-up and 10 minutes post-warm-up (p=0.031), as well as between post-warm-up and 10 minutes later (p=0.003). Conclusion: No differences were found among the warm-up protocols regarding dynamic strength indicators; however, TW and PAPE warm-ups maintained local skin temperature for longer durations compared to WW. This finding is significant considering the physiological benefits associated with increased temperature in sports practice.