Albert Altarriba-Bartes1,2, Javier Peña1,2, Jordi Vicens-Bordas2,3,4, Martí Casals5,6, Xavier Peirau7, Julio Calleja-González8. 1. Sport Performance Analysis Research Group (SPARG), University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain. 2. UVic-UCC Sport and Physical Activity Studies Centre (CEEAF), University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain. 3. Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences; and School of Health and Sport Sciences (EUSES), University of Girona, Girona, Spain. 4. School of Health and Sport Sciences (EUSES), Universitat De Girona, Salt, Spain. 5. UVic-UCC Sport and Physical Activity Studies Centre (CEEAF), Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Barcelona, Spain. 6. Medical Department, Futbol Club Barcelona, Barça Innovation Hub, Barcelona, Spain. 7. Research Group Into Human Movement, Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Lleida, Spain. 8. Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: different active and passive post-exercise recovery techniques such as massage, foam rolling, stretching or ice baths among others, are used by elite athletes to promote effective physiological, physical, and mental restoration. However, limited research is available investigating the use of recovery strategies in professional soccer. As such, we aimed to explore and describe the use of strategies by professional teams throughout the season, describing competitive and preparatory phases. METHODS: the present study collected data from all professional Spanish soccer teams who played in 'LaLiga' (The Spanish first division), during the season 2018-2019 (n = 20) and the ones promoted for the season 2019-2020 (n = 3). A six-section online survey was responded once. RESULTS: teams used different recovery protocols and combinations, although natural and physical strategies such as sleep/nap, food/fluid replacement, cold/ice bath/shower/immersion, and massage were always present. However, there is no agreement in the protocols and timings employed. Three physical strategies showed a higher presence in the recovery protocols after competition: cold/ice bath/shower/immersion, massage and foam rolling; always used by seventeen teams (74%), sixteen (70%) and thirteen (57%) respectively. The design and supervision of recovery are multidisciplinary tasks in 87% of the teams. Our findings also demonstrate that although there is a body of scientific evidence on recovery, a gap between theory and practice exists with 13% of the teams acknowledging that insufficient logistics and economic resources limit the use of some strategies, and two teams (9%) not periodizing or individualizing recovery. CONCLUSION: the investigation provided insight into the current use of recovery strategies by 'LaLiga' teams, highlighting that all clubs used them to one extent or another, but also that significant variability responding to individualized perceptions exists. Moreover, this study provides relevant contextual information that may be useful for professional soccer staff concerning the use of recovery strategies.
OBJECTIVES: different active and passive post-exercise recovery techniques such as massage, foam rolling, stretching or ice baths among others, are used by elite athletes to promote effective physiological, physical, and mental restoration. However, limited research is available investigating the use of recovery strategies in professional soccer. As such, we aimed to explore and describe the use of strategies by professional teams throughout the season, describing competitive and preparatory phases. METHODS: the present study collected data from all professional Spanish soccer teams who played in 'LaLiga' (The Spanish first division), during the season 2018-2019 (n = 20) and the ones promoted for the season 2019-2020 (n = 3). A six-section online survey was responded once. RESULTS: teams used different recovery protocols and combinations, although natural and physical strategies such as sleep/nap, food/fluid replacement, cold/ice bath/shower/immersion, and massage were always present. However, there is no agreement in the protocols and timings employed. Three physical strategies showed a higher presence in the recovery protocols after competition: cold/ice bath/shower/immersion, massage and foam rolling; always used by seventeen teams (74%), sixteen (70%) and thirteen (57%) respectively. The design and supervision of recovery are multidisciplinary tasks in 87% of the teams. Our findings also demonstrate that although there is a body of scientific evidence on recovery, a gap between theory and practice exists with 13% of the teams acknowledging that insufficient logistics and economic resources limit the use of some strategies, and two teams (9%) not periodizing or individualizing recovery. CONCLUSION: the investigation provided insight into the current use of recovery strategies by 'LaLiga' teams, highlighting that all clubs used them to one extent or another, but also that significant variability responding to individualized perceptions exists. Moreover, this study provides relevant contextual information that may be useful for professional soccer staff concerning the use of recovery strategies.
Entities:
Keywords:
Football; professional players; questionnaire; recovery methods; team sports
Authors: Kevin L de Keijzer; Stuart A McErlain-Naylor; Thomas E Brownlee; Javier Raya-González; Marco Beato Journal: Biol Sport Date: 2021-10-25 Impact factor: 4.606
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