Recovery After an Official Soccer Match: An Analysis of Markers of Muscle Damage and Oxidative Stress, and Endocrine, Neuromuscular and Perceptual Responses

<b>Objectives</b>: This study analysed the recovery process after an official soccer match by monitoring changes in markers of muscle damage and oxidative stress, and endocrine, neuromuscular, and perceptual responses. <b>Methods</b>: This repeated-measures observational study included thirteen male amateur soccer players. Blood biomarkers, neuromuscular performance in countermovement jump, and perceived wellness were measured at four time-points: the morning of the match-day, immediately post-, and 24 h and 48 h post-match. <b>Results</b>: Except for CK, which remained elevated at 48 h post-match, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, uric acid, testosterone, cortisol, and testosterone to cortisol ratio returned to baseline between 24 h and 48 h post-match (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Jump height was significantly decreased at 24 h and 48 h post-match, while peak rate of force development and other countermovement jump time-based metrics (i.e., time to take off, time to peak force, reactive strength index modified, flight time to contraction time ratio) were impaired immediately after the match and recovered earlier (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Peak values for perceived fatigue and delayed onset muscle soreness were observed immediately post- and at 24 h post-match, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: While certain physiological, neuromuscular, and perceptual changes may return to baseline levels within 24 h or 48 h post-match, amateur soccer players still manifest exercise-induced muscle damage symptoms and can be considered fatigued after a 48 h recovery period.