Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the recovery of neuromuscular performance using
mechanical parameters collected during jump (vertical and horizontal) and
strength-power exercises in youth soccer players after official soccer matches.
Twenty-one outfield highly trained youth male soccer athletes (age: 18.23±0.73
years; weight: 72.12±6.99 kg; height: 1.78±0.08 m) from two teams competing in
the 1st division of U-19 Portuguese National Championship
participated in this study. Players completed a battery of physical tests at
−2 h, + 30 min, +24 h, and +48 h in relation to the match. Countermovement jump
height, horizontal jump distance, and bar velocity during the half squat, bench
press, and hip thrust exercises, at fixed loads, were recorded. Countermovement
jump was impaired until 24 h post-match (−1.7% from pre- to 24 h
post-match, p=0.050; ES=−0.82). Half-squat bar velocity was
reduced immediately following the match (−6.8% from pre-match,
p=0.004; ES=−0.64) but recovered at +24 h (+2.9%, p=1.00;
ES=0.02). Hip-thrust bar velocity was reduced for up to 48 h post-match
(−7.4% from pre- to 48 h post-match, p<0.001;
ES=−0.80). No impairments were found in the horizontal jump and bench
press at any moment. Our findings show prolonged decrements in strength of the
posterior chain following a soccer match, measured in the hip thrust exercise,
while the other exercises displayed faster recovery dynamics.
Key words
fatigue - recovery - team sports - strength training
