Effectiveness of active versus passive recovery strategies after futsal games.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of immediate postgame recovery interventions (seated rest, supine electrostimulation, low-intensity land exercises, and water exercises) on anaerobic performance (countermovement jump [CMJ], bounce jumping, 10-m sprint), hormones (salivary cortisol, urinary catecholamines), and subjective ratings (rate of perceived exertion [RPE], leg muscle pain, Questionnaire of Recovery Stress for Athletes [RestQ Sport], 10-point Likert scale), and hours of sleep of futsal players. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate, and RPE were used to evaluate the intensity of 4 futsal games in 10 players using a crossover design (P < 0.05), randomly allocating athletes to 1 of the 4 recovery interventions at the end of each game. No significant difference emerged between HR, blood lactate, RPE, and level of hydration of the games. A significant difference (P < 0.001) between games emerged for total urinary catecholamines, with an increase from the first to the second game and a gradual reduction up to the fourth game. After the game, significant reductions in CMJ (P < 0.001) and 10-m sprints (P < 0.05) emerged. No significant difference was found between recovery interventions for anaerobic performances, hormones, muscle pain, and RestQ Sport. Even though a well-balanced diet, rehydration, and controlled lifestyle might represent a sufficient recovery intervention in young elite athletes, the players perceived significantly increased benefit (P < 0.01) from the electrostimulation (7.8 +/- 1.4 points) and water exercises (7.6 +/- 2.1 points) compared to dry exercises (6.6 +/- 1.8 points) and seated rest (5.2 +/- 0.8 points.), which might improve their attitude toward playing. To induce progressive hormonal adaptation to the high exercise load of multiple games, in the last 2 weeks of the preseason, coaches should organize friendly games at a level similar to that of the competitive season.
Tessitore
Antonio
A
Department of Human Movement and Sport Science, University Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.
Meeusen
Romain
R
Pagano
Rita
R
Benvenuti
Cinzia
C
Tiberi
Monica
M
Capranica
Laura
L
D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000652:urine; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012146:Rest; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012890:Sleep; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016683:Supine Position; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002395:Catecholamines; D007773:Lactates; D006854:Hydrocortisone