Comparison of Different Modes of Morning Priming Exercise on Afternoon Performance

Purpose - To assess the effects of different modes of morning (AM) exercise on afternoon (PM) performance and salivary hormone responses in professional Rugby Union players.Methods - On four occasions (randomised, crossover design), fifteen professional rugby players provided AM (~08:00h) and PM (~14:00h) saliva samples before PM assessments of countermovement jump height, reaction time and repeated sprint ability. Control (passive rest), Weights (bench press: 5 x 10 repetitions, 75% one repetition-maximum, 90 s intra-set recovery), Cycling (6 x 6 s maximal sprint cycling, 7.5% body mass load, 54 s intra-set recovery) and Running (6 x 40 m maximal sprints, 20 s intra-set recovery) interventions preceded (~5h earlier) PM testing.Results - PM sprint performance improved (P0.15 ± 0.19 s, >2.04 ± 2.46%) and Running (>0.15 ± 0.17 s, >2.12 ± 2.22%), but not Cycling (P>0.05). PM jump height increased following Cycling (0.012 ± 0.009 m, 2.31 ± 1.76%, P