Post-match Changes In Neuromuscular Function And Recovery Status In Elite Soccer Players

High physical performance demands during soccer matches may lead to physical, metabolic and subjective fatigue. This is especially true during high congestion of matches every three or four days. PURPOSE: To investigate changes in neuromuscular function (NF) and recovery status before and after soccer matches in elite soccer players. METHODS: 26 elite adult male soccer players (age = 22.6 ± 3.4 yrs, body height = 184 ± 3.8 cm, body weight = 77.2 ± 6.9 kg) from the highest professional Czech soccer division were evaluated before and after twelve official matches. NF and recovery status were compared between 3 groups based on match time played (MT) (G1: MT = 90 min, G2: MT = 45 min, G3 MT = 0 min). Countermovement jump (CMJ) with the following time-force variables were assessed on match day (T1) and the day after (T2): jump height (JH), peak power normalized to body weight (PP), depth displacement during eccentric phase (DD) and eccentric peak force (EPF). A mixed-model analysis of variances was used for comparison of pre- vs. post changes and between groups effects. RESULTS: Results revealed the significant time effect (T1 vs. T2) in the following variables: JH (F = 9.02, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.08), PP (F = 4.86, p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.05), DD (F = 8.31, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.08) and EPF (F = 12.72, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.11). No interaction effect between pre- vs. post- and groups (G1, G2, G3) has been shown (p > 0.01). Full match participation (G1) revealed significant changes in JH (T1 = 40.21 ± 5.47 cm vs. T2 = 38.52 ± 4.73 cm, p < 0.01, ES = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.88 - 2.35 cm), DD (T1 = 44.61 ± 3.61 cm vs. T2 = 42.99 ± 2.91 cm, p < 0.01, ES = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.58 - 2.80 cm), EPF (T1 = 2010.14 ± 290.04 N vs. T2 = 1899.16 ± 324.29 N, p < 0.01, ES = 0.36, 95% CI = 61.94 - 160.01 N). Conversely, non-significant changes were found in PP (T1 = 52.38 ± 5.48 W/kg vs. T2 = 52.02 ± 5.37 W/kg, p > 0.05, ES = 0.07, 95% CI = -0.50 - 1.21 W/kg). Players with partial participation (G2) or without participation (G3) did not shown significant differences in NF variables (p > 0.5). Small ES (< 0.3) were found in JH (G2, G3), DD (G3), PP (G2, G3), EPF (G3), but moderate effect sizes (ES = 0.3 - 0.5) were detected in DD and EPF (G2). CONCLUSIONS: Full participation in a competitive match induced changes in NF parameters. Moderate effect size changes were noticed in the eccentric phase of take-off for players even with only half match participation (G2).