The effect of re-warm up and its moderators on performance enhancement and rating of perceived exertion in team-sport athletes: A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis

Jie Zhang, Honglin Tang, Xiangping Zheng, Changzhen Zuo, Yilun Xie and Yilin Fan

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-30

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of re-warm up (RWU) on athletic performance and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in team-sport athletes and to identify potential moderators of these effects. Methods: A literature search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, ProQuest, SPORTDiscus, and CNKI from database inception to 7 June 2025. Three-level meta-analytic models were fitted using R software. Moderation analyses were conducted using the omnibus test method and meta-regression. Results: A total of 20 studies were included. Compared with passive rest, RWU improved countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, sprint performance, and agility, but was also associated with higher RPE (g = 1.04). No statistically significant effects were observed for squat jump (SJ) performance, repeated-sprint ability, or maximal strength. Moderator analyses indicated that takeoff style and lower-limb dominance significantly moderated the effect of RWU on CMJ performance, with significant interactions involving takeoff style, lower-limb dominance, interval format, and age group. For sprint performance, interval format significantly moderated the effect of RWU, whereas no significant moderating effects were observed for age group, running distance, BMI, RWU duration, or warm-up exercise type. The effect of RWU on RPE was significantly moderated by age group and assessment timing, with interactions involving age group, assessment timing, and interval format. Conclusion: RWU may improve CMJ performance, sprint performance, and agility, but current evidence does not indicate significant benefits for SJ performance, repeated-sprint ability, or maximal strength. Moderator effects appeared to be outcome-specific and should be interpreted cautiously, particularly where subgroup evidence was limited. Coaches are therefore advised to tailor RWU strategies to athletes’ individual characteristics, task demands, and competition schedules, while also paying attention to the risk of fatigue accumulation, particularly in youth athletes.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0358479

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0358479

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