[perfphysio]

Author:
Whelan KM, Gass EM, Moran CC

Title:
Warm-up: Efficacy of a program designed for downhill skiing

Source:
Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 1999; 45: 279-288

Method:
clinical trial

Method Score:
5/10 [Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind assessors: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes; Eligibility criteria: Yes] *This score has been confirmed*

Abstract:
A warm-up program designed for downhill skiers and conducted in alpine conditions was tested for its effectiveness in ‘warming up’ the body prior to participation in 90 minutes of downhill skiing. Eight subjects were randomly allocated and participated in both warm up and control conditions. Measurements were taken of rectal temperature, skin temperature, heart rate and flexibility prior to warm-up, immediately post-warm-up/immediately pre-skiing, and at 15min intervals during 90 minutes of skiing. The main analyses used were planned contrasts on repeated measures analysis of variance. Participation in the warm-up program resulted in significant increases in: rectal temperature (F(1,6)=8.196; p=0.008); heart rate (F(1,7)=32.97, p<0.001); and flexibility (F(1,6)=10.14, p=0.003) when compared with the control condition. These findings demonstrate that the program was effective in warming up the body. You will be pleased to know that we have now obtained copyright approval from journal publishers to use the author abstracts for 48% of the records on PEDro.