Efficacy of post-exercise recovery strategies for elite soccer players: a network meta-analysis

Personalized post-match recovery in elite soccer should be based on specific targets. FIR is recommended for CMJ restoration, INPT for muscle damage repair, PCMcold for reducing subjective soreness, and FIR may be considered for MVC recovery. No superior intervention was identified for 20-m sprint recovery; therefore, basic recovery measures are advised. Future multi-arm RCTs are required to validate combined recovery strategies and standardize intervention parameters.