Give Me a Break: Insights From Vacation Research for Football Recovery

The increasing match load in professional football, driven by higher intensity of play and expanded competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, requires effective recovery strategies for players. While the effects of microcycle recovery methods such as nutritional and sleep interventions are well documented, the concept of extended recovery through vacations remains underexplored in sports science. Purpose: The aim of this invited commentary is to learn from other research domains and develop a better understanding of the concept of vacation in professional football. Specifically, we use insights from occupational health research, where vacations are recognized for their significant benefits on recovery, health, well-being, and performance. Furthermore, we examine the parallels between workplace recovery and football, highlighting the potential advantages of vacations for football players. Despite concerns about detraining effects, vacations may offer essential physical and psychosocial rewards, potentially contributing to long-term health, well-being, and performance. Conclusion: Although findings in other domains cannot be directly transferred to football players, we suggest that the season calendar should include extended breaks for player recovery. Future research should focus on the impact of vacations on both physical and psychosocial recovery in football, considering factors such as vacation length, activities, and individual player needs.