Comparing warm-up routines to improve performance in competitive young swimmers
Acute Effects of Different Potentiation Protocols During Warm-Up in Competitive Young Swimmers: A Randomized Crossover Trial
This trial will try three short dry‑land warm-ups—squats with resistance bands, box drop jumps, and their combination—to see if they temporarily boost performance in trained young swimmers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 15 (estimated) |
| Ages | 11 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Palermo Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bagheria, Palermo) |
| Trial ID | NCT07240597 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
All swimmers will first complete a pool-based warm-up and baseline tests, then in a randomized within-subject design each participant will perform three different plyometric warm-up protocols on separate occasions. Main outcomes (e.g., countermovement jump and short-term performance measures) will be recorded at multiple time points after each protocol. Data will be analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA to compare conditions over time, with effect sizes reported and significance set at p < 0.05. The work is conducted at A.S.D. Swim Power in Bagheria under the University of Palermo.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Competitive young swimmers who train at least 10 hours per week, have at least one year of competition experience with the Italian Swimming Federation, have at least six months of resistance training experience, and have no recent injuries are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Swimmers with irregular training participation, recent injuries within the past six months, or recreational swimmers without regular resistance training are unlikely to gain benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify short dry‑land warm-ups that give swimmers a reliable short-term performance boost before competition.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) shows short-lived power gains in some athletes, but results are mixed and few studies have tested dry‑land PAPE warm-ups specifically for swimmers.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Active participation in competitive training programs (at least 10 hours per week), at least one year of experience in competitions organized by the Italian Swimming Federation, and no recent injuries. * Experience of resistance training for at least 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * Irregular training participation * History of injuries in the 6 months prior to the study
Where this trial is running
Bagheria, Palermo
- A.S.D. Swim Power — Bagheria, Palermo, Italy (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.