Post-exercise Recovery Methods Focus on Young Soccer Players: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Prescription of post-match or post-training recovery strategies in young soccer players is a key point to optimize soccer performance. Considering that the effectiveness of recovery strategies may present interindividual variability, scientific evidence-based recovery methods and protocols used in adults are possibly not applicable to young soccer players. Therefore, the current systematic review primarily aimed to present a critical appraisal and summary of the original research articles that have evaluated the effectiveness of recovery strategies in young male soccer players and to provide sufficient knowledge regarding the effectiveness of the recovery methods and strategies.Methodology: A structured search was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines until November 31, 2020, using the next data bases: WOS, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Evidence Database (PEDro), Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Search review, EMBASE, and Scopus. There were no filters applied.Results: A total of 638 articles were obtained in the initial search. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample was 10 articles focusing on recovery in young male players.Conclusions: Neuromuscular performance can be recovered using WVB but not with SS, and water immersion protocols may also be useful, but their positive effects are not significant, and it is unable to distinguish the best water immersion method; match running performance maintenance may be achieved using water immersion protocols but no other recovery methods have been investigated; EIMD and inflammatory responses could be positively affected when water immersion and AR are applied, although SS seems to be ineffective; perceptual responses also seem to be better with CWI and WVB, but contradictory results have been found when AR is applied, and SS had no positive impact. Finally, it is important to consider that AR strategies may modify HR response and soccer-specific performance.

Relationship Between Body Size and Skeletal Age with Muscle Damage in Young Soccer Players

“…In this sense, the elevation of CK, LDH and DOMS values observed immediately after the match (0 h) in both categories was, in a way expected, once the soccer match is able to generate physical and physiological wear in players, as these markers tend to remain elevated immediately after the soccer match [12,13]. Studies involving young soccer players that investigated blood markers of muscle damage and DOMS beyond time 0 h found that the blood marker of muscle damage remained elevated between 24 h [18,36] and up to 72 hours after the soccer match [19].…”

“…Several sports scientists and training professionals have thus focused on the response of indicators such as CK, LDH, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) to measure the physical wear generated by a match in athletes [12,13]. This is because the extravasation of CK and LDH enzymes into the bloodstream occurs mainly due to a series of cellular and tissue micro damages generated by the mechanical action of high-intensity muscle contraction, as well as by the frequent physical contacts suffered by athletes during matches [9][10][11].…”

A commentary of factors related to player availability and its influence on performance in elite team sports

“… Taking into consideration how physiological stress and physiological and biochemical markers are affected when the same players start in sequential matches and how they differ from those who remain on the bench ( 67 , 68 ). Using individualized protocols based on the players' characteristics such as actual fitness level, injury history and preferences ( 66 , 69 ). Educating players to take responsibility for their recovery.…”

“…Using individualized protocols based on the players' characteristics such as actual fitness level, injury history and preferences ( 66 , 69 ).…”

Effects of Beta-alanine Supplementation on Recovery and Performance Factors in Male Soccer Players

“…During a season, the chances of cramps are very high due to stressful training and games. As a result, there is a lot of emphasis on postexercise and competition recovery (4).…”