The number of studies on the relationship between training and competition load and injury has increased exponentially in recent years, and it is also widely studied by researchers in the field of professional soccer. In order to provide practical guidance for workload management and injury prevention in professional athletes, this study provides a review of the literature on the effect of load on injury risk, injury prediction, and interpretation mechanisms. The results of the research show that: (1) It appears that short-term fixture congestion may increase the match injury incidence, while long-term fixture congestion may have no effect on both the overall injury incidence and the match injury incidence. (2) It is impossible to determine conclusively whether any global positioning system (GPS)-derived metrics (total distance, high-speed running distance, and acceleration) are associated with an increased risk of injury. (3) The acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) of the session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) may be significantly associated with the risk of non-contact injuries, but an ACWR threshold with a minimum risk of injury could not be obtained. (4) Based on the workload and fatigue recovery factors, artificial intelligence technology may possess good predictive power regarding injury risk.

Background Both Kinesio Tape (KT) and Compression Sleeves (CS) can relieve Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) to a certain extent, but there is no study report on the difference in the effectiveness of the KT and CS whether the effect is better when used at the same time. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of KT and CS on the recovery of muscle soreness, isokinetic strength, and body fatigue after DOMS. Methods In this single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 32 participants aged 18 to 24 years were randomly divided into Control group (CG), Compression Sleeves group (CSG), Kinesio Tape group (KTG), Compression Sleeves and Kinesio Tape group (CSKTG), between October 2021 and January 2022. KTG uses Kinesio Tape, CSG wears Compression Sleeves, and CSKTG uses both Compression Sleeves and Kinesio Tape. Outcomes were performed at five-time points (baseline, 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h), Primary outcome was pain level Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Secondary outcomes were Interleukin 6, Peak Torque/Body Weight, Work Fatigue. Statistical analyses were performed using the repeated measures analysis of variance method. Setting: Laboratory. Results After the intervention, VAS reached the highest at 24 h after exercise-induced muscle soreness, while the KTG and CSG at each time point were less than CG, and the scores of CSKTG at 24 h and 48 h were less than those of KTG and CSG in the same period (P < 0.05). Interleukin 6, at 24 h, CSKTG is lower than KTG 0.71(95%CI: 0.43 to 1.86) and CG 1.68(95%CI: 0.06 to 3.29). Peak Torque/Body Weight, at 24 h, CG was lower than CSKTG 0.99(95%CI: 0.42 to 1.56), KTG 0.94(95%CI: 0.37 to 1.52), and CSG 0.72(95%CI: 0.14 to 1.29); at 72 h, CG was lower than CSKTG 0.65(95%CI: 0.13 to 1.17) and KTG 0.58(95%CI: 0.06 to 1.10). Work Fatigue, at 24 h, CG was lower than KTG 0.10(95%CI: 0.02 to 1.78) and CSKTG 0.01(95%CI: -0.07 to 0.09). At 48 h, CG was lower than KTG 0.10(95%CI: 0.13 to 1.17) and CSKTG 0.11(95%CI: 0.03 to 0.18). Conclusions Kinesio Tape can significantly reduce DOMS pain, and Kinesio Tape has a better recovery effect on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness than Compression Sleeves. Kinesio Tape combined with Compression Sleeves is helpful to alleviate the Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness pain, speeding up the recovery of muscle strength, and shortening the recovery time after Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Trial registration Registration number: This study was also registered on 11/10/2021, at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100051973).

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