The acute effects of different warm-up protocols on visual reaction time and athletic performance in boxersreaction time and athletic performance in boxers

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of different warm-up protocols (static, dynamic, and sport-specific) on selected physical performance parameters and visual reaction time in boxers. Twelve male boxers participated in the study, and each subject was randomly exposed to all three warm-up conditions. After each warm-up, performance tests were conducted, including visual reaction time, handgrip strength, flexibility, back strength, 10 m and 20 m sprint, agility, and countermovement jump (CMJ). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and LSD post-hoc tests, with significance set at p <0.05. The findings revealed that both dynamic and sport-specific warm-up protocols significantly improved handgrip strength and flexibility compared to static warm-up (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed among protocols for the other variables (p>0.05). These results suggest that dynamic and sport-specific warm-ups are more effective and may be recommended in boxing, which requires high levels of reactivity and flexibility. From a practical standpoint, coaches may consider incorporating 15 minutes of dynamic or sport-specific warm-ups followed by a brief rest to optimize readiness and minimize injury risk.