Association Between Match Activity Variables, Measures of Fatigue and Neuromuscular Performance Capacity Following Elite Competitive Soccer Matches

Elite soccer players are required to participate in a high number of competitive matches (40-50) which are, in some cases, separated by as little as 48-72 h. Due to the frequency of matches, a large amount of strain is placed on a number of physiological systems (Stølen et al., 2005). General fatigue (Ascensão et al., 2008) and a reduction in strength (Oliver et al., 2008) have been shown following competitive soccer matches. Furthermore, soccer matches are also known to elicit exercise induced muscle damage and subsequent soreness, which is thought to be due to the high magnitude eccentric muscle loading derived from training and matches (Mohr et al., 2016). It has been shown that various potential fatigue measures do not return to baseline levels up to 72 h following a match (Ascensão et al., 2008). This has led to various recovery strategies being implemented in attempt to hasten player recovery and thus regain optimum performance and reduce susceptibility to fatigue related injuries (Nédélec et al., 2013). Although challenging due to the multi-factorial nature of fatigue (Thorpe et al., 2015), tools that enable the effective identification and quantification of fatigue are useful in the prescription of post-match training and injury prevention strategies.

Although multiple biochemical and physiological markers of post-match play fatigue exist, Creatine Kinase (CK) is the most widely used marker of fatigue status in an applied setting (Ascensão et al., 2008; Russell et al., 2015). It has been demonstrated that levels of serum CK are elevated following intensive exercise (Ascensão et al., 2008; Garry and McShane, 2000), and the presence of CK, in healthy participants, is correlated with sarcomeric damage (Brancaccio et al., 2000). Ascensão et al. (2008) showed levels of CK to be significantly elevated in Portuguese 2nd tier soccer players 48 and 72 h post-match alongside, which resulted in significantly reduced lower limb strength and sprint ability. Similarly, CK increased 24 and 48 h following a competitive reserve soccer match compared to baseline measures (Russell et al., 2015). The reason for this is thought to be due to soccer specific activity, such as rapid accelerations and decelerations leading to a large amount of eccentric loading which is synonymous with muscle architecture disruption (Brown et al., 1999; Proske and Morgan, 2001). Previous research (Ascensão et al., 2008; Russell et al., 2015) has relied solely on CK as an individual marker of fatigue, however, fatigue has been shown to be multi-factorial (Thorpe et al., 2015). Measurements of neuromuscular capacity, such as a countermovement jump, have previously been reported to be able to detect fatigue status in team sports players following match-play (Johnston et al., 2013). Therefore, it can be suggested that multiple factors need to be considered when assessing fatigue status given the lack of evidence related to the use of single measures of fatigue status in an applied, competitive, elite scenario (Meister et al., 2013).

Despite the importance of monitoring recovery and the individual variability in the extent of fatigue experienced following matches (Ascensão et al., 2008; Thorpe et al., 2015), measures of muscle damage are not commonly assessed. If associations could be made between routinely assessed match activity variables (FIFA permitting the use of GPS decives in competitive matches may increase the regularity in which match activity variables are measured) and fatigue measures, this would provide sport scientists within clubs with greater insight into individual fatigue status. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the association between commonly recorded match activity variables during elite competitive matches and measures of fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity immediately, 40 and 64 h post-match.

In order to provide a representative cohort of elite soccer players, data were collected from two competitive matches separated by 21 days played in September 2014. Match activity variables and subsequent measures of fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity were collected during and following two English Championship matches. Baseline measures of fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity were assessed following three days of rest (no training or matches) ~3 weeks prior to the experimental period.

Serum CK activity (Figure 1) was significantly higher post-match and 40 h postmatch when compared to baseline (post-match - CI 426 – 966, effect-size = 1.46, p = 0.03; 40 h - CI 400 – 1148, effect-size = 1.11, p = 0.01). No differences were observed when 64 h post-match values were compared to baseline (CI 324 – 882, effect-size = 1.03, p = 0.15)

Figure 1

VASMF scores were significantly higher post-match (CI 39.4 - 73.6, effect-size = 1.46, p = 0.000), 40 h post-match (CI 10.4 - 43.2, effect-size = 0.73, p = 0.001) and 64 h post-match (CI 21.8 – 39.8, effect-size = 0.55, p = 0.004) compared to baseline measurements. CMJ performance and perceived ratings of wellness were not significantly different at any time points compared to baseline (CMJ 40 h, CI 48.2 - 55.5, effect-size = 0.17, p = 0.46; CMJ 64 h, CI 49.3 - 57.1, effect-size = 0.03, p = 0.57; Wellness 40 h, CI 16-18, effect-size = 0.5, p = 0.12; Wellness 64 h, CI 17-19, effect-size = 0.00, p = 0.81).

CK activity was correlated with the total number of accelerations and decelerations at alltime points (post-match - CI -0.24 – 1.25, p =0.010, large; 40 h-CI -0.38-1.28, p = 0.034, moderate; 64 h - CI -0.37 – 1.66, p = 0.046, moderate) (Table 1). CK activity was also correlated with the number of sprints (CI 0.00 – 1.07, p = 0.047, moderate) and total sprint distance 40 h post-match (CI 0.01 – 1.07, p = 0.048, moderate). VASMF scores were correlated with total distance covered immediately post-match (CI -0.08 – 1.03, p = 0.038, moderate), although no significant or substantial correlation was found in relation to other performance variables at any time point (Table 1, all p > 0.05). Perceived ratings of wellness were correlated with the number of accelerations (40 h post-match - CI -0.29 – 1.07, p = 0.024, large; 64 h post-match - CI 0.40 – 0.86, p = 0.041, large) and the number of sprints (40 h post-match - CI -0.20 – 0.96, p = 0.047, large). CMJ performance did not significantly correlate with any match activity variables (all p > 0.05).

Table 1

Correlations between measures of fatigue and performance variables measured during a match (CK = Creatine Kinase; VASMF = Visual Analogue Scale of Muscle Fatigue; Wellness = Perceived ratings of wellness; CMJ = Countermovement Jump; PM = Post-Match).

The aim of the present study was to assess the relationships between match activity variables commonly measured during soccer matches and subsequent potential measures of fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity. The total number of accelerations and decelerations and the number of sprints performed demonstrated the strongest associations with CK activity, perceived ratings of muscle soreness and perceived ratings of wellness. The large between match variability in match activity variables seen in elite soccer can cause a high degree of individuality in fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity experienced by elite soccer players (Bangsbo et al., 2006; Gregson et al., 2010; Mohr et al., 2013). The moderate and large relationships shown between individual match activity variables and measures of fatigue status show that match activity variables can be used as an effective, efficient and non-invasive measure of individual player fatigue, which can inform individual recovery and training prescription.

Effective and efficient assessment of player fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity in elite soccer is of paramount importance due to the frequency of competition and the short period of time (48-72 h) between matches. Effective fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity monitoring can provide insights into player physiological status, which may then further help in the attempt to reduce the susceptibility of injury and illness in elite soccer players. As expected, serum CK activity remained significantly elevated at all-time points compared to baseline measurements which is in line with previous findings (Ascensão et al., 2008; Russell et al., 2015). The association of CK activity with total sprint distance, the number of sprints and total number of accelerations and decelerations supports associations shown in Australian rules football (Young et al., 2012) and the hypothesis that the high intensity components of a soccer match cause muscular damage (Meister et al., 2013). Accelerations and decelerations are characterised by a rapid switch between concentric and eccentric contractions, and sprinting necessitates large magnitude of the mechanical load, both of which contribute to the mechanisms of muscle damage (Proske and Morgan, 2001). Data collected following a Rugby Union match have also shown the number of sprints, sprint distance and high-speed sprinting distance to be moderately correlated with CK activity, albeit only in players of certain positions (backs) (Jones et al., 2014). As CK activity is rarely assessed in competitive elite sport, probably due to the invasive procedures involved, the correlations shown with commonly measured match activity variables provide an alternative to an otherwise unattainable measurement of fatigue status up to 64 h post-match.

Perceived ratings of muscle soreness measured directly following a match showed a moderate relationship with total distance covered, however, no associations were shown 40 and 64 h post-match. These findings seem to be in line with data from other sports showing perceived fatigue to be increased 24 h following a match (Twist et al., 2012). Although data collected 24 h following a match are of interest and indicate the level of fatigue experienced, as professional soccer players are rarely asked to perform high intensity activity 24 h post–match, the findings could be deemed of limited applied importance. The large relationship shown between perceived ratings of wellness and the number of sprints (large, 40 h post-match) and accelerations (large, 40 h and moderate 64 h postmatch) is in line with data from Australian Rules Football showing correlations between training loads and perceived quality of sleep (Buchheit et al., 2013). However, no associations were shown between a daily training load and the same variables in a different cohort of elite soccer players (Thorpe et al., 2015). The perceived nature of the assessment and the lack of control over extenuating factors such as peer-influence, not linked to training/match, may have influenced ‘wellness’ and could be the reason for the contrasting findings (Saw et al., 2015).

Despite a reduction in neuromuscular performance capacity being commonly associated with muscular fatigue (Proske and Morgan, 2001) and a decrease in CMJ performance (jump height) previously being shown following soccer participation (Kotzamanidis et al., 2005; Oliver et al., 2008), no changes in CMJ height were shown following a soccer match in the present study. However, the data shown are in line with findings in elite players showing CMJ performance to remain unchanged following daily training loads and matches (Thorpe et al., 2015). It could be suggested that players subtly vary CMJ technique in a fatigued state and maintain jump height through compensatory mechanisms, such as greater eccentric depth before jumping, increased inertia due to the strength shortening cycle through faster arm drive and ‘catching’ a deeper bent knee landing to increase flight time. Analysis of jump height may also not be sensitive to the acute effects of a match and therefore, analysis of alternative measures during the CMJ, such as concentric force and eccentric duration may be beneficial in future applied studies (Quagliarella et al., 2011).

The present study benefits from using a cohort of elite soccer players taking part in competitive matches, however, the applied nature of the study reduces the amount of control that can be achieved. Players diet and rest day activity were not standardised, however, as all the subjects were professional soccer players, it is unlikely that substantial differences in dietary intake or rest day activity occurred, therefore we believe these factors are unlikely to have influenced the current findings.

In conclusion, the correlations between match activity variables and fatigue status show that the quantification of individual match activity variables, particularly the total number of accelerations and decelerations and the number of sprints, provides a useful non-invasive indicator of subsequent fatigue status in elite soccer players in the days following a match.