What is the intended effect of raising the athlete's body temperature during warm-up?

Raising an athlete’s body temperature during warm-up is intended to prepare the body for maximal effort. Increasing body temperature enhances muscle elasticity and joint mobility, which helps in improving neuromuscular efficiency, leading to better performance. Warmer muscles tend to contract more forcefully and relax more quickly, which is crucial during high-intensity lifts.

Additionally, increased temperature also stimulates blood flow to the muscles, ensuring that they receive adequate oxygen and nutrients while helping to remove metabolic waste. This physiological readiness reduces the risk of injury and enhances overall performance, making the body more prepared for the demands of weightlifting.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary purpose of warming up. Improving upper body strength is a potential benefit of a strength training program but not a direct effect of warming up. Preventing any weightlifting activities contradicts the purpose of warming up, as it is designed to facilitate those activities. Lastly, the idea of significantly increasing muscle fatigue during warm-up is counterproductive; the goal is to invigorate the muscles, not exhaust them.