Effects of work-matched supramaximal intermittent vs. submaximal constant-workload warm-up on all-out effort power output at the end of 2 minutes of maximal cycling

We tested the hypothesis that work-matched supramaximal intermittent warm-up improves final-sprint power output to a greater degree than submaximal constant-intensity warm-up during the last 30?s of a 120-s supramaximal exercise simulating the final sprint during sports events lasting approximately 2?min. Ten male middle-distance runners performed a 120-s supramaximal cycling exercise consisting of 90?s of constant-workload cycling at a workload corresponding to 110% maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) followed by 30?s of maximal-effort cycling. This exercise was preceded by 1) no warm-up (Control), 2) a constant-workload cycling warm-up at a workload of 60%VO_2max for 6?min and 40?s, or 3) a supramaximal intermittent cycling warm-up for 6?min and 40?s consisting of 5 sets of 65?s of cycling at a workload of 46%VO_2max?+?15?s of supramaximal cycling at a workload of 120%VO_2max. By design, total work was matched between the two warm-up conditions. Supramaximal intermittent and submaximal constant-workload warm-ups similarly increased 5-s peak (590?±?191 vs. 604?±?215W, P?=?0.41) and 30-s mean (495?±?137 vs. 503?±?154W, P?=?0.48) power output during the final 30-s maximal-effort cycling as compared to the no warm-up condition (5-s peak: 471?±?165W; 30-s mean: 398?±?117W). VO₂ during the 120-s supramaximal cycling was similarly increased by the two warm-ups as compared to no-warm up (P?≤?0.05). These findings show that work-matched supramaximal intermittent and submaximal constant-workload warm-ups improve final sprint (～30?s) performance to similar extents during the late stage of a 120-s supramaximal exercise bout.