Effects of Two Recovery Procedures After a Football Game on Sensory and Biochemical Markers

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate recovery processes on pressure pain sensitivity and blood indicators in professional football players after three different post-game training modalities: standard recovery training, no physical activity, delayed onset muscle soreness reduction training.

Methods: Eleven male football field players participated in the present study. The experiment was performed in three sessions over three weeks after three football league games. The procedure was composed of the following assessments included in each session: measurement of pain pressure threshold, creatine kinase activity and myoglobin (Mb) concentration before, 24 and 48 hours after game.

Results: In standard recovery training there was no full recovery in deep structure sensitivity of the frontal thigh muscles at 48 hours after game (P=0.008). In the no physical activity session, sensitivity returned to its level before game. On the contrary, in the delayed onset muscle soreness reduction training sensitivity decreased 48 hours after game (P<0.001). Creatine kinase activity decreased significantly from 24 hours to 48 hours in session with no activity and delayed onset muscle soreness reduction training (P<0.05). None of the recovery methods had an influence on Mb concentration.

Conclusion: The present study points towards a potent effect of delayed onset muscle soreness reduction training on recovery after a football game.