title: Neuromuscular, endocrine, and perceptual fatigue responses during different length between-match microcycles in professional rugby league players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in neuromuscular, perceptual and hormonal measures following professional rugby league matches during different length between-match microcycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve professional rugby league players from the same team were assessed for changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance (flight time and relative power), perceptual responses (fatigue, well-being and muscle soreness) and salivary hormone (testosterone [T] and cortisol [C]) levels during 5, 7 and 9 d between-match training microcycles. All training was prescribed by the club coaches and was monitored using the session-RPE method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower mean daily training load was completed on the 5 d compared with the 7 and 9 d microcycles. CMJ flight time and relative power, perception of fatigue, overall well-being and muscle soreness were significantly reduced in the 48 h following the match in each microcycle (P < .05). Most CMJ variables returned to near baseline values following 4 d in each microcycle. Countermovement jump relative power was lower in the 7 d microcycle in comparison with the 9 d microcycle (P < .05). There was increased fatigue at 48 h in the 7 and 9 d microcycles (P < .05) but had returned to baseline in the 5 d microcycle. Salivary T and C did not change in response to the match.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuromuscular performance and perception of fatigue are reduced for at least 48 h following a rugby league match but can be recovered to baseline levels within 4 d. These findings show that with appropriate training, it is possible to recover neuromuscular and perceptual measures within 4 d after a rugby league match.
authors.affiliation: School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney, Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Blake D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
authors.forename: Vince
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: McGuigan
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cormack
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone