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Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(08): 589-597
DOI: 10.1055/a-2150-0960
Training & Testing

Using Bar Velocity to Assess Post-match Neuromuscular Fatigue in Young Soccer Players

João Barreira
1   Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, University of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal
,
Petrus Gantois 
2   Physical Education, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil
,
Jorge Castro
3   Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
,
Xavier Mesquita
4   Physical Performance, Independent Researcher, Braga, Portugal
,
Rafael Peixoto
5   Department of Sport Sciences, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
6   Research Group in Strength Training and Fitness Activities, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
,
Miguel Ferreira Cid
7   BOAVISTA LAB, Boavista Futebol Clube, Porto, Portugal
,
Irineu Loturco
8   Sport Science, NAR – Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
9   Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
10   Sports Sciences, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Ana Sousa
1   Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, University of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal
,
Fábio Yuzo Nakamura
1   Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, University of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal
› Author Affiliations Funding Information This work was funded by Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, that is supported by the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (UID/04045/2020).
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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


Publication History

Received: 18 May 2023

Accepted: 07 August 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
07 August 2023

Article published online:
22 April 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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