Recovery Kinetics After Repeated Sprint Training With Directional Changes in Soccer: It Is a Matter of Angle

Abstract Poulios, A, Grammenos, N, Fatouros, IG, Avloniti, A, Tsimeas, P, Papanikolaou, K, Syrou, N, Rosvoglou, A, Tsaousidis, I, Chatzinikolaou, A, Tsiokanos, A, Mohr, M, Jamurtas, AZ, and Draganidis, D. Recovery kinetics after repeated sprint training with directional changes in soccer: It is a matter of angle. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—This study determined the recovery kinetics of performance, delay onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and neuromuscular fatigue after repeated sprint training using 2 angles of changes of direction (COD) in soccer. Ten male players randomly completed 3 conditions using a randomized cross-over, repeated measures design: control, COD45 (COD of 45°) and COD90 (COD of 90°). Training load was monitored using global positioning system with accelerometers and heart-rate monitors. Blood count, maximal voluntary isometric contraction, countermovement jump (CMJ), DOMS, speed, and agility were measured at baseline and at 24-, 48-, and 72-h postexercise. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction, CMJ, and DOMS were also evaluated at 1-, 2- and 3-h postexercise. Agility, DOMS, and blood count levels remained unaltered in all conditions ( p > 0.05). Blood lactate increased (COD45:91%; COD90:89.5%, p < 0.05) postexercise. COD45 was characterized by a higher average (31%) and maximum speed (25%) and lower decelerations (58–77%) and accelerations (66–77%) than COD90 ( p < 0.05). The 10- and 30-m speed in COD45 decreased ( p < 0.05) by 20 and 9% postexercise and remained lower (4–12%) than that in COD90 for as long as 24 h. Countermovement jump declined ( p < 0.05) for 3 h in COD45 (8%) and 24 h in COD90 (5–7%). Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of knee extensors in COD45 declined (8%) and was lower than COD90 (9%) at 24 h in both limbs. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of knee flexors decreased (COD45:14%) for 24 h in dominant and 3 h (COD45:2%, COD90:14%) in nondominant limb with COD45 inducing a greater decline than COD90 ( p < 0.05). Although COD protocols do not increase DOMS, it seems that COD training at lower angles may be associated with a slower recovery (24 h) than that at greater angles.