PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of warm-up exercise intensity and subsequent recovery on intense endurance performance, selected blood variables and the VO2 response.

METHODS: Twelve highly trained male cyclists (VO2-max: 72.4±8.0·mL/min/kg, incremental-test peak power output (iPPO): 432±31 W; means±SD) performed three warm-up strategies lasting 20 min before a 4-min maximal performance test (PT). Strategies consisted of moderate intensity exercise (50%iPPO) followed by 6 min of recovery (MOD6) or progressive-high intensity exercise (10-100%iPPO and 2x20-s sprints) followed by recovery for 6 min (HI6) or 20 min (HI20).

RESULTS: Before PT venous pH was lower (P<0.001) in HI6 (7.27±0.05) compared with HI20 (7.34±0.04) and MOD6 (7.35±0.03). At the same time differences (P<0.001) existed for venous lactate in HI6 (8.2±2.0 mmol/L), HI20 (5.1±1.7 mmol/L) and MOD6 (1.4±0.4 mmol/L) as well as for venous bicarbonate in HI6 (19.3±2.6 mmol/L), HI20 (22.6±2.3 mmol/L) and MOD6 (26.0±1.4 mmol/L). Mean power in PT in HI6 (402±38 W) tended to be lower (P=0.11) relative to HI20 (409±34 W) and was lower (P=0.007) than in MOD6 (416±32 W). Total VO2 (15-120 s in PT) was higher in HI6 (8.18±0.86 L) relative to HI20 (7.85±0.82 L; P=0.008) and MOD6 (7.90±0.74 L; P=0.012).

CONCLUSIONS: Warm-up exercise including race-pace and sprint intervals combined with short recovery can reduce subsequent performance in a 4-min maximal test in highly trained cyclists. Thus, a reduced time at high exercise intensity or a reduced intensity in the warm-up or an extension of the recovery period after an intense warm-up is advocated.