Varmgang

Varmgang is a Norwegian term with several related meanings connected to warming or making something warm. Etymologically it combines varm, meaning warm, with gang or the sense of a process or turn. In ordinary use, varmgang most commonly refers to the warm-up phase before physical activity.

In sports and exercise, varmgang denotes the warm-up that precedes more intense work. A typical warm-up gradually raises body temperature, increases heart rate, and improves muscle elasticity to reduce the risk of injury and improve performance. The exact routines vary by sport and individual.

In industrial and technical contexts, varmgang can describe preheating or hot-working steps where materials are heated above ambient temperature before further processing. In metalworking, this includes processes such as hot rolling or hot forming, where heating enhances ductility and reduces work hardening, enabling more efficient shaping of the material.

In medical settings, varmgang may refer to warming patients to prevent hypothermia during anesthesia or surgery. Techniques include warming blankets, forced-air warming systems, and warmed intravenous fluids.

The term is primarily used in Norwegian and appears in other Scandinavian languages with related meanings, though specific uses are defined by context. When encountered, varmgang typically requires clarification to indicate whether it concerns exercise, industrial processing, or medical patient warming. See also warming up, preheating, hot working.