BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Warm-up (WU) is a commonly practiced technique aimed at preparing athletes for physical activity. Although coaches and athletes consider WU essential, there is still an ongoing debate about its effectiveness. This might be due to the fact that WU procedures often rely on experiences rather than scientific research. During WU, athletes may pursue intermediate goals such as ensuring proper ranges of motion in joints, which seem crucial particularly for runners' ankle joints. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate influence of whole-body vibration (WBV), drop jump (DJ), and a combination of both (WBV + DJ) in terms of ankle dorsiflexion and running parameters among recreational runners. METHODS: Sixteen runners performed as a WU: five sets of 30 s calf raises without WBV (CTRL), five sets of 30 s calf raises during WBV, five sets of six DJ, five sets of 30 s calf raises during WBV followed by 6 DJ. Range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint was measured in a prone position using an inclinometer for the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, separately. Measurements were conducted before and after WU, and after a 3000 m run. RESULTS: There was no interaction for time and WU for left (p = 0.926) and right (p = 0.738) soleus muscle as well as for left (p = 0.748) and right (p = 0.197) gastrocnemius muscles. No difference (p = 0.914) for the running time was found. DISCUSSION: WBV, drop jumps, or a combination of both did not affect ankle dorsiflexion and running time.

Center of Body Posture Olsztyn Poland

Department of Physical Culture Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport Gdansk Poland

Department of Physiotherapy School of Health Sciences University of Warmia and Mazury Olsztyn Poland

Department of Sport Games Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University Prague Czechia

Institute of Sport Sciences The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice Katowice Poland

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