Recovery Kinetics of Knee Flexor and Extensor Strength after a Football Match

Abstract

We examined the temporal changes of isokinetic strength performance of knee flexor (KF) and extensor (KE) strength after a football match. Players were randomly assigned to a control (N = 14, participated only in measurements and practices) or an experimental group (N = 20, participated also in a football match). Participants trained daily during the two days after the match. Match and training overload was monitored with GPS devices. Venous blood was sampled and muscle damage was assessed pre-match, post-match and at 12h, 36h and 60h post-match. Isometric strength as well as eccentric and concentric peak torque of knee flexors and extensors in both limbs (dominant and non-dominant) were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at baseline and at 12h, 36h and 60h after the match. Functional (KFecc/KEcon) and conventional (KFcon/KEcon) ratios were then calculated. Only eccentric peak torque of knee flexors declined at 60h after the match in the control group. In the experimental group: a) isometric strength of knee extensors and knee flexors declined (P<0.05) at 12h (both limbs) and 36h (dominant limb only), b) eccentric and concentric peak torque of knee extensors and flexors declined (P<0.05) in both limbs for 36h at 60°/s and for 60h at 180°/s with eccentric peak torque of knee flexors demonstrating a greater (P<0.05) reduction than concentric peak torque, c) strength deterioration was greater (P<0.05) at 180°/s and in dominant limb, d) the functional ratio was more sensitive to match-induced fatigue demonstrating a more prolonged decline. Discriminant and regression analysis revealed that strength deterioration and recovery may be related to the amount of eccentric actions performed during the match and athletes' football-specific conditioning. Our data suggest that recovery kinetics of knee flexor and extensor strength after a football match demonstrate strength, limb and velocity specificity and may depend on match physical overload and players' physical conditioning level.

Match-related risk factors for injury in male professional football

“…One possible explanation for these associations between match congestion and injury rates could be that players suffer from residual fatigue after a match if they have not been given enough time to recover between two match exposures. However, most previously published studies have shown that signs of muscular fatigue often disappear within 72 hours after a football match, [61][62][63][64][65][66][67] whereas the results of Paper III suggest an increased injury rate up to 5 days after a previous match. Other studies have shown that the biomechanical properties of muscles change as they are fatigued after a football match or similar activity, lowering the production of maximal force and altering the angle of peak torque [125][126][127].…”

“…There are no data, for example GPS measurements, about the actual activity level during different matches, and previous studies have shown that player activity level varies substantially between matches and between different players. Moreover, previous studies have also shown that post-match fatigue is influenced by the activity level of players during a match [63,67]. It would therefore be interesting to be able to analyse whether the activity level during a match is important for the risk of sustaining an injury in a subsequent match.…”

“…Such studies have shown increased levels of creatine kinase for 24 to 72 hours after a football match or similar physical activity [62][63][64][65][66][67][68]. This inflammatory response seems to be higher after a football match compared with other team sports, possibly due to higher physical demands during football matches [69].…”

“…Studies investigating players subjective experiences have shown that players experience muscle soreness and fatigue directly after a football match [62][63][64][65][66][67]. Whereas post-match fatigue seems to return to baseline values within 48 hours after a match, [63,65] the time to return to baseline values for muscle soreness have varied between 48 and 72 hours [62][63][64][65][66][67].…”

“…Whereas post-match fatigue seems to return to baseline values within 48 hours after a match, [63,65] the time to return to baseline values for muscle soreness have varied between 48 and 72 hours [62][63][64][65][66][67].…”