SECTION II - EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND SPORTS MEDICINE / RESEARCH PAPER
Acute Neuromuscular and Performance Adaptations
to PAPE—Focused Warm-Up Strategies in Rowing
1
Faculty of Sport Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.
2
Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
3
Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
4
Nucleus of Research in Human Motricity Sciences, Universidad Adventista de Chile, Chillán, Chile.
5
Laboratory of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
6
Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.
7
Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung, Taiwan.
Submission date: 2025-06-10
Final revision date: 2025-11-07
Acceptance date: 2026-07-22
Online publication date: 2026-11-12
Corresponding author
Phornpot Chainok
-, Faculty of Sports Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand, 12120, Thailand
-, Faculty of Sports Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand, 12120, Thailand
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) warm-up practices have received considerable interest due to their potential to acutely enhance neuromuscular output and athletic performance. In this regard, flywheel-based warm-ups have gained recognition as an innovative and effective strategy, particularly relevant in high-intensity sports such as rowing, where explosive power and neuromuscular coordination are key determinants of performance. Through a randomized crossover design, we investigated the acute effects of flywheel-based and general warm-up protocols on neuromuscular performance and 500-m rowing ergometer output in 32 male rowers (16 collegiate and 16 recreational). Post-warm-up assessments included grip strength, the countermovement jump, the isometric mid-thigh pull, the dynamic strength index and 500-m time trials. Collegiate rowers significantly improved 500-m rowing time (diff: 4.06%; p = 0.02, d = 0.84) and the dynamic strength index (diff: 28.44%; p = 0.01, d = −0.98) following the flywheel protocol, despite reductions in isometric mid-thigh pull force (diff: −17.78%; p = 0.03, d = 0.80). Recreational rowers, in contrast, experienced greater strength decline and no performance gains (diff: 1.92%; p = 0.35; d = 0.36). Across all participants, the dynamic strength index increased post-warm-up, indicating enhanced neuromuscular efficiency. These results suggest that flywheel warm-ups can elicit post-activation performance enhancement in trained athletes, while general warm-ups may be more appropriate for less trained individuals. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring warm-up strategies to the athlete’s training status to optimize performance outcomes in rowing and other power-endurance sports.
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