Comparison of an Active Warm-Up vs. Passive Warm-Up on Vertical Jump Performance

Warm-ups are an essential element of exercise and sport performance. Although research has demonstrated benefits associated with active warm-ups, research investigating the effects of a passive warm-up on subsequent performance is limited. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of an active, post-activation potentiation (PAP) warm-up to a passive warm-up on vertical jump performance. Study participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Each group performed both the active and passive warm-ups, in reverse order, to control for order effect. Participants in this study consisted of 20 college students (men and women) between the ages of 18 and 35 years who were well-trained and anaerobically fit. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant main effect difference in vertical jump measures (F=16.148, p<0.001). Further analysis of the results demonstrated that between the three treatments tested, control, active, passive, there was a statically significant difference between the active warm-up when compared to both the passive and control warm-ups (p=0.004; p<0.001). The results also indicated that there was practical significance between the active and passive treatment as well as the control group (partial eta squared=0.459). In conclusion, an active warm-up prior to vertical jump testing appears to be superior to a passive warm-up. Physiologically the body may perform better following dynamic movements rather than through a passive increase in intramuscular temperature. Prior to athletic events, we recommend athletes perform warm-ups utilizing dynamic movements rather than using a heating system alone.