[Purpose] The present study aimed to determine the changes in physical and balance
performance following exercise-induced muscle damage using a sport-specific protocol.
[Subjects and Methods] Fifteen collegiate soccer players were asked to perform a
sport-specific sprint protocol to induce muscle damage. The markers of muscle damage
(soreness, range of motion, limb girth, muscle strength, creatine kinase and lactate
dehydrogenase), physical performance (speed, agility and power) and balance (static and
dynamic balance) were assessed at baseline and 24, 48 and 72 hours following the sprint
protocol. [Results] All variables, including the markers of muscle damage, physical
performance and balance showed a significant difference when assessed at the 4 time
points. [Conclusion] The study demonstrated that both the physical and balance performance
were affected following repeated sprint protocol in soccer players. It is recommended the
balance performance of an athlete be continually assessed following exercise-induced
muscle damage so as to determine the appropriate return to sport decision thereby,
minimizing the risk of further injury.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.