Introduction: Paralympic powerlifting (PP) is a sport in which the bench press is the sole exercise. Warm-up routines are considered essential for optimal performance. Objectives: This study aims to analyze different types of warm-up protocols—traditional warm-up (TW), post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), and without warm-up (WW)—and their effects on dynamic strength indicators, core temperature, and skin temperature in athletes with disabilities. Methods: Fourteen nationally ranked PP athletes participated in the study. Their performance was evaluated following different warm-up protocols. Dynamic variables analyzed included Maximum Velocity (VMax), Mean Propulsive Velocity (MPV), and Power output. Additionally, tympanic and skin temperatures were measured. Results: No significant differences were observed in dynamic strength indicators across the different warm-up protocols. Thermographic analysis revealed differences only in the triceps muscle between PAPE and TW (p < 0.001), TW and WW (p = 0.004), and PAPE and WW (p = 0.015). Differences were also observed between TW and WW (p = 0.026). Ten minutes post-warm-up, differences were noted between PAPE and WW (p < 0.001) and between TW and WW (p = 0.001). In the WW condition, significant differences were found between pre-warm-up and 10 min post-warm-up (p = 0.031), as well as between post-warm-up and 10 min later (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The study evaluated the potential impact of warm-ups on dynamic indicators of strength, core temperature, and skin temperature. No differences were found between the warm-up methods for strength indicators. Regarding skin temperature, only the triceps showed differences between the PAPE and Traditional methods. Regarding core temperature, after warm-up and 10 min later, the methods without warm-up showed higher temperatures than the PAPE and Traditional methods. Therefore, in practical applications, warm-up methods do not appear to interfere with strength indicators, with lower skin temperatures for the triceps in the PAPE methods.

Introduction: Paralympic powerlifting (PP) is a sport in which the bench press is the sole exercise. Warm-up routines are considered essential for optimal performance. Objectives: This study aims to analyze different types of warm-up protocols—traditional warm-up (TW), post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), and without warm-up (WW)—and their effects on dynamic strength indicators, core temperature, and skin temperature in athletes with disabilities. Methods: Fourteen nationally ranked PP athletes participated in the study. Their performance was evaluated following different warm-up protocols. Dynamic variables analyzed included Maximum Velocity (VMax), Mean Propulsive Velocity (MPV), and Power output. Additionally, tympanic and skin temperatures were measured. Results: No significant differences were observed in dynamic strength indicators across the different warm-up protocols. Thermographic analysis revealed differences only in the triceps muscle between PAPE and TW (p< 0.001), TW and WW (p=0.004), and PAPE and WW (p=0.015). Differences were also observed between TW and WW (p=0.026). Ten minutes post-warm-up, differences were noted between PAPE and WW (p< 0.001) and TW and WW (p=0.001). In the WW condition, significant differences were found between pre-warm-up and 10 minutes post-warm-up (p=0.031), as well as between post-warm-up and 10 minutes later (p=0.003). Conclusion: No differences were found among the warm-up protocols regarding dynamic strength indicators; however, TW and PAPE warm-ups maintained local skin temperature for longer durations compared to WW. This finding is significant considering the physiological benefits associated with increased temperature in sports practice.

Purpose: Paralympic Powerlifting (PP) demands not only physical and technical performance but also psychological features. The aim of this study was to compare mental health variables and quality of life between male and female PP athletes during a national competition. Methods: 26 male and 15 female PP athletes answered questionnaires to measure pre-competitive anxiety (SCAI-2), trait-state anxiety (IDATE), mood states (POMS), depression (BECK-II), and quality of life (SF-36) before a national-level PP competition. Results: Male athletes reported high self-confidence and lower mood disturbance than female athletes. No difference was found in anxiety, depression, or quality of life measures between genders. Conclusions: Gender-specific psychosocial stressors and competitive stimuli familiarisation can affect gender differences in mental health measures. Moreover, the Paralympic sport context could explain the lack of differences in quality of life and some mental health variables.