Post-Match Recovery Responses in Italian Serie A Youth Soccer Players: Effects of Manipulating Training Load 48 h After Match Play

Abstract

This study described the recovery responses following match play and examined the effects of manipulating training load 48 h post-match in Italian Serie A youth soccer players. Forty-eight players were assessed using the countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric posterior-chain muscle test (IPC), muscle soreness and fatigue before (pre) and after (0.5 h post, 48 h post and 72 h post) a match. At 48 h post-match, players were randomly assigned to a complete training (CT; n = 26) or a reduced training (RT; n = 22) group. Recovery differences were analysed between time points and training groups, with training loads quantified on match day (MD) and match day plus two (MD + 2). Recovery measures were impaired immediately post-match (p < 0.05). IPC and muscle soreness demonstrated incomplete recovery 48 h post-match (p < 0.05), whereas CMJ and fatigue returned to baseline (p > 0.05). Training load on MD did not differ between groups (p > 0.05), whereas the CT group had higher load on MD + 2 compared to RT (p < 0.05). A significant time × group interaction was observed for CMJ height and IPC measures (p < 0.05), with reductions in physical performance observed in the CT group from 48 to 72 h post-match (p < 0.05). A youth soccer match acutely impaired physical performance and recovery status, with prolonged and incomplete recovery of hamstring force and elevated muscle soreness 48 h post-match. A high-volume and high-intensity session administered 48 h post-match negatively influenced physical performance compared to a moderate training session.

Keywords: fatigue; football; performance; recovery; training load.

FIGURE 1

Study design overview. Physical performance (CMJ and IPC) and perceptual recovery measures (VAS for muscle soreness and fatigue) were collected during the microcycle at four time points before (pre) and after (0.5 h post, 48 h post and 72 h post) a match; 2 days after match, players were assigned to either a complete training group (CT: 100 min session and n = 26) or a reduced training group (RT: 70 min session and n = 22). + and − represent the training days with respect to the distance to the match; CMJ: countermovement jump; h: hours; IPC: isometric posterior chain; MD: match day; VAS: visual analogue scale.

FIGURE 2

Individual responses of countermovement jump (A) jump height, (B) peak power, (C) force at zero velocity, (D) RSI‐modified and isometric posterior chain (E) peak force dominant leg, (F) peak force nondominant leg, (G) peak torque dominant leg and (H) peak torque nondominant leg measured at pre, 0.5 h post and 48 h post in Italian Serie A youth soccer players (n = 48). Individual responses are plotted with grey circles and lines, whereas mean responses are plotted with black dots and lines. Significant changes in comparison with baseline (pre) are indicated with asterisks (p < 0.05). CMJ: countermovement jump; h: hours; IPC: isometric posterior chain; RSI: reactive strength index.

FIGURE 3

Individual (lines) and group (bars) responses to complete and reduce training load interventions in Italian Serie A youth soccer players on countermovement jump, (A) jump height, (B) peak power, (C) force at zero velocity, (D) RSI‐modified and isometric posterior chain, (E) peak force dominant leg, (F) peak force nondominant leg, (G) peak torque dominant leg and (H) peak torque nondominant leg measured at 48 h post (white bars) and 72 h post (grey bars). Significant changes in comparison with 48 h post are indicated with asteriks (p < 0.05), whereas significant time × group interactions are indicated with hash (p < 0.05). CMJ: countermovement jump; h: hours; IPC: isometric posterior chain; RSI: reactive strength index.