Original Research Specific warm-up enhances movement velocity during bench press and squat resistance training

Background and objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of specific warm-up on squat and bench press resistance training. Methods: Thirty-four resistance-trained males (23.53 +/- 2.35 years) participated in the current study. Among these, 12 were evaluated in the squat and 22 in the bench press. After determining the maximal strength load (1RM), each participant performed a training set (3 x 6 repetitions) with 80% 1RM (training load) after completing a specific warm-up and without warming up, in random order. The warm-up comprised 2 x 6 repetitions with 40% and 80% of the training load, respectively. Mean propulsive velocity, velocity loss, peak velocity, mechanical power, work, heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion were assessed. Results: The results showed that after the warm-up, the participants were able to perform the squat and bench press at a higher mean propulsive velocity in the first set (squat: 0.68 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.64 +/- 0.06 m.s(-1), p = 0.009, ES = 0.91; bench press: 0.52 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.47 +/- 0.08 m.s(-1), p = 0.02, ES = 0.56). The warm-up positively influenced the peak velocity (1.32 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.20 +/- 0.11 m.s(-1), p = 0.001, ES = 1.23) and the time to reach peak velocity (593.75 +/- 117.01 vs. 653.58 +/- 156.53 ms, p = 0.009, ES = 0.91) during the squat set. Conclusion: The specific warm-up seems to enhance neuromuscular actions that enable a higher movement velocity during the first training repetitions and to allow greater peak velocities in less time.