Passive Heating Via Heating Pads Improves Vertical Jump and Agility Performance in NCAA Division III Soccer Players

ABSTRACT: Jiwan, NC, DeKuiper, KJ, Sysol, LA, Chabala, GE, and Costa, PA. Passive heating via heating pads improves vertical jump and agility performance in NCAA Division III soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Passive heating may enhance performance by increasing blood flow, improving nerve conduction, and stimulating calcium release. Although most studies focus on saunas or hot water immersion, research on heating pads (HP) remains limited. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effect of HP on athletic performance in soccer players. Nineteen male (n = 10) and female (n = 9) soccer players completed 2 identical testing sessions in a randomized, counterbalanced design. HP was applied to both thighs and set to 66°C in the passive heat treatment (PHT) and maintained at body temperature in the sham condition. Skin temperature was taken before (Pre) and after (Post) HP application. After heating, subjects completed 3 performance tests: passing accuracy, vertical jump, and agility t test. Peak power was derived from vertical jump height (VJH). The alpha level was set at p ≤ 0.05. PHT significantly increased thigh skin temperature, improved VJH, peak power, and agility times, while no differences were observed for passing accuracy. PHT improved VJH and agility times in soccer players, supporting HP as an accessible and effective preactivity strategy to enhance performance.