The Effects of Modern and Traditional Warm-Up Protocols on Specific Physiological and Motor Characteristics in U17 Football Players

Abstract

Warm-up protocols play a critical role in enhancing athletic performance and reducing injury risks. However, the comparative effects of modern and traditional warm-up methods on physiological and motor characteristics remain unclear. This study employed a cross-controlled experimental design involving 20 U-17 male football players. Participants alternated between modern and traditional warm-up protocols across two consecutive days. Data on body temperature, maximum heart rate, total running distance, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, maximum speed, acceleration, and deceleration were collected. Both warm-up protocols effectively increased body temperature (average 1.5 ± 0.3°C), with no significantly difference observed between them. The traditional protocol resulted in significantly higher total running distance (2200 ± 150 m), HSR (750 ± 90 m), sprint distance (450 ± 60 m), and maximum speed (28.5 ± 1.2 km/h) compared to the modern protocol (p < 0.05). Maximum heart rate was 179 ± 6 bpm in the traditional protocol and 176 ± 7 bpm in the modern protocol, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found in acceleration and deceleration counts between the two protocols. The findings suggest that both protocols are effective for basic physiological preparation, but the traditional warm-up method is superior for enhancing motor performance parameters critical for football. These results emphasize the importance of tailoring warm-up strategies to the specific demands of the sport and individual player needs.

Keywords

• Warm-Up
• Motor Performance
• Traditional Methods
• Modern Methods
• Football

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