Postmatch recovery of physical performance and biochemical markers in team ball sports: a systematic review

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2018 Feb 14;4(1):e000264. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000264. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Background: Insufficient postmatch recovery in elite players may cause an increased risk of injuries, illnesses and non-functional over-reaching.

Objective: To evaluate postmatch recovery time courses of physical performance and biochemical markers in team ball sport players.

Study design: Systematic review.

Data sources: PubMed and Web of Science.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: This systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies was used to evaluate quality. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) original research evaluated players' physical recovery postmatch; (2) team/intermittent sports; and (3) at least two postmeasurements were compared with baseline values.

Results: Twenty-eight studies were eligible. Mean methodological quality was 11.2±1.11. Most used performance tests and biochemical markers were the countermovement jump test, sprint tests and creatine kinase (CK), cortisol (C) and testosterone (T), respectively.

Summary/conclusions: The current evidence demonstrates that underlying mechanisms of muscle recovery are still in progress while performance recovery is already reached. CK recovery time courses are up to ≥72 hours. Soccer and rugby players need more time to recover for sprint performance, CK and C in comparison to other team ball sports. There are more high-quality studies needed regarding recovery in various team sports and recovery strategies on an individual level should be evaluated.

Clinical relevance: Ongoing insufficient recovery can be prevented by the use of the presented recovery time courses as specific practical recovery guidelines.

Keywords: creatine; elite performance; fatigue; recovery.