Alec Drayton, Maziar Hamad, and Konstantinos Spyrou have recently shed valuable light on post-match recovery in professional soccer players. The three researchers from the University of Murcia analyzed 13 studies covering the immediate aftermath of a match, up to 72 hours later, and concluded: although certain performance qualities (speed, agility) appear to have been restored after three days, deep neuromuscular functions and certain fatigue markers remain impaired. In detail, the trio demonstrates in this study that vertical jump and hamstring strength remain impaired, muscle soreness is still present, and the presence of creatine kinase (an indicator of muscle damage) remains elevated. Sprints, changes of direction, and technical skill generally return to their baseline levels after 72 hours. The study also highlights that the duration and extent of these post-match disorders vary greatly between players, depending on their physical condition profile (strength, power, endurance) therefore complicating recovery planning.
How long does it take to recover after a match? A study shows that full recovery is not guaranteed before 72 hours / ©IStock