Dynamic Warm-ups Play Pivotal Role in Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention

Abstract

Dynamic warm-ups (DWs) are being increasingly used before athletic performance because of their perceived potential to promote readiness to play, enhance performance, and reduce injury across the recreational and elite athlete populations. There has been widespread adoption of warm-ups before athletic activity and evolving literature suggesting best practices including the role of static versus dynamic stretching and combination of pre-performance activities. DWs have gained traction as a preferred warm-up approach over static stretching because of the increased potential to improve athletic performance and reduce injury by enhancing the musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular, and psychological systems before performance. In this article, we aim to discuss the physiological and potential athletic performance benefits of DWs, key differences compared with prior widely adopted pre-activity static stretching, injury reduction benefits, and recommendations for implementing DWs into pre–athletic performance activities including crucial components of a multifaceted sport-specific approach.

Level of Evidence

Level V, expert opinion.