Maximal voluntary contraction force, SR function and glycogen resynthesis during the first 72 h after a high-level competitive soccer game

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine maximal voluntary knee-extensor contraction force (MVC force), sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function and muscle glycogen levels in the days after a high-level soccer game when players ingested an optimised diet. Seven high-level male soccer players had a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy and a blood sample collected in a control situation and at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after a competitive soccer game. MVC force, SR function, muscle glycogen, muscle soreness and plasma myoglobin were measured. MVC force sustained over 1 s was 11 and 10% lower (P < 0.05) after 0 and 24 h, respectively, compared with control. The rate of SR Ca(2+) uptake at 800 nM [Ca(2+)](free) was lower (P < 0.05) after 0 h (2.5 μmol Ca(2+) g prot(-1) min(-1)) than for all other time points (24 h: 5.1 μmol Ca(2+) g prot(-1) min(-1)). However, SR Ca(2+) release rate was not affected. Plasma myoglobin was sixfold higher (P < 0.05) immediately after the game, but normalised 24 h after the game. Quadriceps muscle soreness (0-10 VAS-scale) was higher (P < 0.05) after 0 h (3.6), 24 h (1.8), 48 h (1.1) and 72 h (1.4) compared with control (0.1). Muscle glycogen was 57 and 27% lower (P < 0.001) 0 and 24 h after the game compared with control (193 and 328 vs. 449 mmol kg d w(-1)). In conclusion, maximal voluntary contraction force and SR Ca(2+) uptake were impaired and muscle soreness was elevated after a high-level soccer game, with faster recovery of SR function in comparison with MVC force, soreness and muscle glycogen.

Markers of the Aerobic Energy-Delivery System as Measures of Post-Match Fatigue and Recovery in Soccer; a Repeated Measures Design

“…Causes behind the increased oxygen consumption are not easy to determine, yet the re-synthesis of glycogen storages could be a possible explanation. The replenishment of glycogen has been shown to require up to 48 hours (46), and present blood lactate findings support this, as blood lactate level was still substantially lower under the 24-hour post-match test compared to the pre-match test. A reduced aerobic metabolic efficiency could thus be assumed to be the cause behind the findings of elevated oxygen in the recovery test.…”

Muscle Glycogen Content Modifies SR Ca2+ Release Rate in Elite Endurance Athletes

“…Hence, both muscle glycogen and SR Ca 2+ release rate remained depressed in the H 2 O group whereas muscle glycogen and SR Ca 2+ release were significantly elevated in the CHO group in comparison to the Post measurement. (10,26) and unaltered (19,33) following exercise. These discrepancies in research may be related to the exercise mode and training status of individuals.…”

Compression Garments and Recovery from Exercise: A Meta-Analysis

“…An earlier review of 23 peer-reviewed papers, 11 of which were studies on recovery from running, also found insignificant effects from CG [39]. The mechanisms by which load bearing exercise retards recovery are complex and varied, and include muscle damage and the depletion of endogenous energy substrates [77], the accumulation of metabolic by-products [78,79] and impaired neuromuscular function [80]. It is therefore unsurprising that ameliorating muscle damage alone is often insufficient to aid recovery from running [33,81], as this milieu of degenerative processes is unlikely to be wholly addressed by a single recovery method.…”