The effectiveness of a dynamic warm-up in improving performance in college athletes.

Warming up before performing rigorous physical activity is typically done to increase range of motion and improve athletic performance. Common warm-up techniques in college athletics include static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, dynamic warm-ups, and sport-specific activities. However, the type of warm-up routine used in the college setting varies based on a variety of factors including coaching or therapist experience, education, and preference. Recent studies have investigated the effectiveness of different types of warm-up on college athlete performance measures such as vertical jump, agility, and sport-specific activities (eg, sprint performance). Although a dynamic warm-up is generally thought to be superior to other common warm-up techniques, there remains uncertainty regarding the best method to prepare for intercollegiate athletic participation.