Research summary · Training and performance
Where athlete warm-up research is strong—and incomplete
A four-database scoping review mapped 964 studies published between 1972 and January 2026 across warm-up methods, sports and outcome types.
- Publication year
- 2026
- First published online
- Publication type
- Scoping review with evidence gap map
- Journal
- Sports Medicine - Open
- Population / context
- Multiple competitive sports
What the publication reports
Research concentrated on immediate sprint, jump, agility and strength-related tests. Actual injury outcomes, competition performance, adherence and practical implementation were studied much less often.
Limits and interpretation
This descriptive map does not estimate a pooled treatment effect or identify one best routine. Sparse injury endpoints are an evidence gap, not proof that established injury-prevention warm-ups are ineffective.
Read the source
Consult the original record for the full author list, methods, references, funding and competing-interest disclosures.
Mapping Research on Warm-Up in Athletes: A Scoping Review with Evidence Gap Map
Original publication / indexed recordPMID: 42859947DOI: 10.1186/s40798-026-01123-9Full text at the sourceReader discussion
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