Muscle temperature and sprint performance during soccer matches--beneficial effect of re-warm-up at half-time.
The relationship between quadriceps muscle temperature (T(m)) and sprint performance was evaluated during soccer matches in 25 competitive players. In one game, T(m) was determined frequently (n=9). In another game, eight players performed low-intensity activities at half-time (re-warm-up, (RW), whereas another eight players recovered passively (CON). T(m) was 36.0+/-0.2 degrees C at rest and increased (P<0.05) to 39.4+/-0.2 degrees C before the game and remained unaltered during the first half. At half-time, T(m) decreased (P<0.05) to 37.4+/-0.2 degrees C, but increased (P<0.05) to 39.2+/- degrees C during the second half. In CON and RW, T(m) and core temperature (T(c)) were similar before and after the first half, but 2.1+/-0.1 and 0.9+/-0.1 degrees C higher (P<0.05), respectively, in RW prior to the second half. At the onset of the second half, the sprint performance was reduced (P<0.05) by 2.4% in CON, but unchanged in RW. The decrease in T(m) was correlated to the decrease in performance (r=0.60, P<0.05, n=16). This study demonstrates that in soccer, the decline in T(m) and T(c) during half-time is associated with a lowered sprint capacity at the onset of the second half, whereas sprint performance is maintained when low-intensity activities preserve muscle temperature.
Mohr
M
M
Department of Human Physiology, Institute of Exercise and Sport Sciences, August Krogh Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
Krustrup
P
P
Nybo
L
L
Nielsen
J J
JJ
Bangsbo
J
J
D001831:Body Temperature; D003718:Denmark; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis