RECOVERY KINETICS IN SOCCER GOALKEEPERS AND OUTFIELD PLAYERS
ab,
ab,
a,
ab
Mathieu Nédélec Alan McCall Serge Berthoin Gregory Dupont
a: University of Lille Nord de France, EA 4488 b: LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, France
Results & Discussion
Introduction
Squat Jump and CMJ were both significantly (p<0.01) decreased 24h after the match, while only CMJ
remained significantly (p<0.05) lower 48h after the match for both goalkeepers and outfield players. A
significant correlation was found between the number of jumps and ball kicks performed during the match
by goalkeepers and the change score in SJ (r = -0.90; p<0.01) and CMJ (r = -0.90; p<0.01) observed at 48h.
This result could be explained by the fact that jumps and ball kicks induce muscle damage and then impair
jumping performance (Byrne et al., 2004). Mean power output and MS showed no change (p>0.05) for
goalkeepers throughout the protocol whereas MPO and MS were significantly altered for outfield players
immediately after the match (p<0.01; Figure 1).
There was a main effect of time (p<0.05) for fatigue and muscle soreness. Fatigue increased immediately
(p<0.001) and 24h after the match (p<0.05), whereas muscle soreness was increased immediately after the
match only (p<0.05). No significant interaction was found for other variables between position and time
(p>0.05).
During a soccer match, goalkeepers and outfield players perform
running activities and actions leading to muscle damage which may
impair physical performance (Byrne et al., 2004). In addition, a soccer
match involves mental activities for both goalkeepers and outfield
players (Williams, 2000). Mental fatigue has been shown to impact
cognitive performance (Greig et al., 2007) and to reduce physical
performance (Marcora et al., 2009). The purpose of this study was to
analyze the recovery kinetics of physical and cognitive performance,
as well as subjective ratings in goalkeepers and outfield players after a
soccer match.
Eight goalkeepers (age: 18.5±2.5 yr; height: 182.3±4.6 cm; body
mass: 75.9±8.8 kg) and eight elite outfield players (17.1±0.9 yr;
180.9±5.8 cm; 70.5±6.8 kg) performed:
- test battery:
• Subjective ratings of quality of sleep, fatigue, stress, muscle
soreness (from 1 to 7 points; Hooper et al., 1995) and recovery (from
6 to 20 points; Kenttä and Hassmén, 1998)
• Cognitive tests: reaction time and motor time were measured using
Vienna Reaction Test; number of stimuli and number of correct
responses were measured using Vienna Determination Test
• Physical tests: squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ)
performance were measured on a force plate (Kistler AG,
Switzerland); 6-s sprint performance (i.e. mean power output – MPO
– and mean speed – MS) was measured on a non-motorised treadmill
(Woodway Force 3.0, USA) (Image 1)
- competitive soccer match (90 min). Physical activity of goalkeepers
during the match (i.e. number of jumps, ball kicks, hand passes,
movements and saves) was analysed through standardised
observation in real-time.
Players performed the test battery before, 45 min, 24 h and 48 h after
the match.
Figure 1. Mean power output during 6-s sprint during 48 h
after the match.
** Significantly different from baseline (p<0.01).
Mean power output (W)
Methods
Time (after competitive match)
Image 1. The non-motorised treadmill (Woodway Force 3.0, USA)
Conclusions
The present study suggests that outfield players require a longer time than goalkeepers to recover sprint performance, which may have implications for the time
to return safely to training and matches. Future studies are required to determine if other aspects of cognitive function (e.g. voluntary allocation of attention)
are affected by a soccer match.
References
Byrne C, Twist C, Eston R (2004). Sports Med 34, 49-69; Greig M, Marchant D, Lovell R, Clough P, McNaughton L (2007). Br J Sports Med 41, 908-913; Hooper SL, Mackinnon LT, Howard A, Gordon RD,
Bachmann AW (1995). Med Sci Sports Exerc 27, 106-112; Kenttä G, Hassmén P (1998). Sports Med 26, 1-16; Marcora SM, Staiano W, Manning V (2009). J Appl Physiol 106, 857-864; Williams AM
(2000). J Sports Sci 18(9), 737-750.
Contact: matnedelec@orange.fr