Acute Effects of Resistance Training Warm-Up and Re-Warm-Up on Dynamic Strength Performance: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to analyze and synthesize the evidence on resistance training warm-up and/or re-warm-up strategies and their effects on subsequent dynamic strength performance in strength-trained males.

Methods

We searched three electronic databases for original articles from inception to March 2025, with updates in November 2025. We included studies comparing the acute effects of various warm-up and/or re-warm-up strategies on dynamic strength performance, reporting outcome measures such as one-repetition maximum (1RM), barbell lifting velocity, power, total repetitions, or volume load.

Results

Nineteen studies focused on how resistance training warm-ups affect subsequent dynamic strength performance, while one study analyzed the effects of resistance training re-warm-ups on strength performance. The main findings show that (i) resistance training warm-ups increase 1RM loads in leg press and squat, (ii) using low relative loads in warm-ups lifted at maximal intended velocities optimizes peak power at 40% 1RM in the bench press, (iii) progressive-intensity warm-ups increase lifting velocity at 80% 1RM bench press and squat, (iv) warming up with loads ranging from 45% to 90% 1RM increases the number of total repetitions completed at 70%–75% 1RM in several strength exercises, and (v) a re-warm-up improves squat mechanical performance.

Conclusions

This review highlights the benefits of resistance training warm-ups on increasing 1RM load in lower-body exercises, peak power at light loads, propulsive velocity at heavy loads, and total repetitions at moderate loads. Nevertheless, a notable gap in research exists regarding re-warm-up strategies and their impact on strength performance, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Keywords

Warm-up / Pre-exercise / Re-warm-up / Strength training / Muscle strength / Power / Physical performance

References

[1] Abad CC, Prado ML, Ugrinowitsch C, Tricoli V, Barroso R. Combination of general and specific warm-ups improves leg-press one repetition maximum compared with specific warm-up in trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res, 2011, 25(8): 2242-5

[2] Afonso J, Brito J, Abade E, Rendeiro-Pinho G, Baptista I, Figueiredo P, Nakamura FY. Revisiting the ‘Whys’ and ‘Hows’ of the warm-up: are we asking the right questions?. Sports Med, 2024, 54(1): 23-30

[3] Alves RR, Viana RB, Silva MH, Guimarães TC, Vieira CA, Santos DDAT, Gentil PRV. Postactivation potentiation improves performance in a resistance training session in trained men. J Strength Cond Res, 2021, 35(12): 3296-9

[4] Barroso R, Silva-Batista C, Tricoli V, Roschel H, Ugrinowitsch C. The effects of different intensities and durations of the general warm-up on leg press 1RM. J Strength Cond Res, 2013, 27(4): 1009-13

[5] Bishop D. Warm up I: potential mechanisms and the effects of passive warm up on exercise performance. Sports Med, 2003, 33(6): 439-54

[6] Bishop D. Warm up II: performance changes following active warm up and how to structure the warm up. Sports Med, 2003, 33(7): 483-98

[7] Chevan J. Demographic determinants of participation in strength training activities among U.S. adults. J Strength Cond Res, 2008, 22(2): 553-8

[8] Cochrane DJ, Coley KW, Pritchard HJ, Barnes MJ. Vibration exercise as a warm-up modality for deadlift power output. J Strength Cond Res, 2015, 29(4): 1033-9

[9] Cowper G, Goodall S, Hicks K, Burnie L, Briggs M. The impact of passive heat maintenance strategies between an active warm-up and performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil, 2022, 14(1): 154

[10] El Hage R, Nasr R, Moussa E, Jacob C. Post-activation potentiation after a bench press exercise: influence of pre-activation intensity. Sci Sports, 2012, 27: e38-e41

[11] Enes A, Mohan AE, Piñero A, Hermann T, Sapuppo M, Coleman M, Korakakis PA, Wolf M, Souza-Junior TP, Swinton PA, Schoenfeld BJ. Warming up to improved performance? Effects of different specific warm-up protocols on neuromuscular performance in trained individuals. Sports Med Health Sci S2666337625000988, 2025

[12] Gallo RC, Mello WG. Efeitos Agudos de diferentes estratégias de aquecimento sobre o desempenho de repetições máximas no exercí­cio de Supino Reto Em homens adultos-jovens. RBPFEX, 2017, 11(67447-52

[13] Garbisu-Hualde A, Santos-Concejero J. Post-activation potentiation in strength training: a systematic review of the scientific literature. J Hum Kinet, 2021, 78: 141-150

[14] Gil MH, Neiva HP, Sousa AC, Marques MC, Marinho DA. Current approaches on warming up for sports performance: a critical review. Strength Cond J, 2019, 41: 70-9

[15] Gołaś A, Maszczyk A, Zajac A, Mikołajec K, Stastny P. Optimizing post activation potentiation for explosive activities in competitive sports. J Hum Kinet, 2016, 52: 95-106

[16] Haugen T, Sandbakk Ø, Seiler S, Tønnessen E. The training characteristics of world-class distance runners: an integration of scientific literature and results-proven. Sports Med Open, 2022, 8(1): 46

[17] Isbilir M, Ispirlidis I, Chatzinikolaou A, Pafis G, Gioftsidou A. Optimizing pre-match preparation: impact of four warm-up protocols on yo-yo IR2 and sprint performance in youth footballers. JPES, 2025, 25(71403-11

[18] Krzysztofik M, Wilk M, Filip A, Zmijewski P, Zajac A, Tufano JJ. Can post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) improve resistance training volume during the bench press exercise?. IJERPH, 2020, 17 2554

[19] Lee H-Y, Chao T, Hsu C-C, Chang N-W, Chen Y-L, Tsai Y-S. Effects of different warm-up methods on 50-meter breaststroke swimming performance. Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 2025, 12: 1505648

[20] Luz Junior DAD, Figueira Junor A, Serpa ÉP, Gomes WA, Soares EG, Lopes CR, Teixeira LFM, Marchetti PH. Different warm-ups on the maximum repetition performance in resistance training. Rev Bras Med Esporte, 2014, 20(6): 461-4

[21] McGowan CJ, Pyne DB, Thompson KG, Rattray B. Warm-up strategies for sport and exercise: mechanisms and applications. Sports Med, 2015, 45(111523-46

[22] Mina MA, Blazevich AJ, Giakas G, Kay AD. Influence of variable resistance loading on subsequent free weight maximal back squat performance. J Strength Cond Res, 2014, 28(10): 2988-2995

[23] Mina MA, Blazevich AJ, Giakas G, Seitz LB, Kay AD. Chain-loaded variable resistance warm‐up improves free‐weight maximal back squat performance. Eur J Sport Sci, 2016, 16(8): 932-9

[24] Mohr M, Krustrup P, Nybo L, Nielsen JJ, Bangsbo J. Muscle temperature and sprint performance during soccer matches – beneficial effect of re-warm‐up at half‐time. Scand Med Sci Sports, 2004, 14(3): 156-62

[25] Nader AN, Silva AMG, Rocha HNB, Chaves CPG, Miranda H, Simão R, Salles BF. Influência Dos aquecimentos geral e especí­fico Na força de membros superiores. RBPFEX, 2009, 3: 517-21

[26] Neves PP, Alves AR, Marinho DA, Ferraz R, Garrido N, Marques MC, Neiva HP. The impact of general and/or specific warm-up on power and velocity during squat and bench-press training. Retos, 2024, 53: 28-35

[27] Neves PP, Marques DL, Neiva HP, Marinho DA, Ferraz R, Marques MC, Alves AR. Impact of re-warm-up during resistance training: analysis of mechanical and physiological variables. Sports, 2025, 13(5): 142

[28] Nuzzo JL. Sex difference in participation in muscle-strengthening activities. J Lifestyle Med, 2020, 10: 110-5

[29] Nuzzo JL, Pinto MD, Nosaka K, Steele J. Maximal number of repetitions at percentages of the one repetition maximum: a meta-regression and moderator analysis of sex, age, training status, and exercise. Sports Med, 2024, 54(2303-21

[30] Ouzzani M, Hammady H, Fedorowicz Z, Elmagarmid A. Rayyan—a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Syst Rev, 2016, 5(1): 210

[31] Pearce AJ, Rowe GS, Whyte DG. Neural conduction and excitability following a simple warm up. J Sci Med Sport, 2012, 15(2164-168

[32] Ribeiro A, Romanzini M, Schoenfeld BJ, Souza MF, Avelar A, Cyrino ES. Effect of different warm-up procedures on the performance of resistance training exercises. Percept Mot Skills, 2014, 119(1): 133-45

[33] Ribeiro B, Pereira A, Alves AR, Neves PP, Marques MC, Marinho DA, Neiva HP. Specific warm-up enhances movement velocity during bench press and squat resistance training. JOMH, 2021, 17(4): 226-33

[34] Ribeiro B, Pereira A, Neves PP, Sousa AC, Ferraz R, Marques MC, Marinho DA, Neiva HP. The role of specific warm-up during bench press and squat exercises: a novel approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020, 17(18): 6882

[35] Saeterbakken AH, Stien N, Paulsen G, Behm DG, Andersen V, Solstad TEJ, Prieske O. Task specificity of dynamic resistance training and its transferability to non-trained isometric muscle strength: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Med, 2025, 55(71651-76

[36] Sanchez-Sanchez J, Clemente FM, Ramirez-Campillo R, Rodríguez-Fernández A. Elastic bands during half-squats as a re-warm-up strategy for youth soccer players’ performance. J Sports Sci Med, 2024, 23(4): 843-51

[37] Silva LM, Neiva HP, Marques MC, Izquierdo M, Marinho DA. Effects of warm-up, post-warm-up, and re-warm-up strategies on explosive efforts in team sports: a systematic review. Sports Med, 2018, 48(10): 2285-99

[38] Sople D, Wilcox RB. Dynamic warm-ups play pivotal role in athletic performance and injury prevention. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil, 2025, 7 101023

[39] Souza D, Silva AG, Vale A, Pessoni A, Galvão L, Araújo MA, De Paula Júnior C, Vieira C, Vieira A, Gentil P. Effect of warm-up protocols using lower and higher loads on multiple-set back squat volume-load. PeerJ, 2024, 12 e17347

[40] Ushirooka N, Muratomi K, Omura S, Tanigawa S. Does the addition of lower-body aerobic exercise as a warm-up improve upper-body resistance training performance more than a specific warm-up alone?. J Trainol, 2023, 12(2): 24-8

[41] Viveiros L, Gioia K, Nasser I, Acetto V, Farias D, Willardson JM, Miranda H. High-load and low-volume warm-up increases performance in a resistance training session. J Bodyw Mov Ther, 2024, 40: 1487-91

[42] Wilson JM, Duncan NM, Marin PJ, Brown LE, Loenneke JP, Wilson SMC, Jo E, Lowery RP, Ugrinowitsch C. Meta-analysis of postactivation potentiation and power: effects of conditioning activity, volume, gender, rest periods, and training status. J Strength Cond Res, 2013, 27(3): 854-9

[43] Yang Y-R, Chen C, Pan C-H, Yen S-Y, Cheng C-F. Effects of half-time re–warm-up with core strength exercises on subsequent agility and power performance in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res, 2025, 39(1): 62-69

Funding

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(UID/04045)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Beijing Sport University

Just Accepted

This article has successfully passed peer review and final editorial review, and will soon enter typesetting, proofreading and other publishing processes. The currently displayed version is the accepted final manuscript. The officially published version will be updated with format, DOI and citation information upon launch. We recommend that you pay attention to subsequent journal notifications and preferentially cite the officially published version. Thank you for your support and cooperation.