ijerph-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Strategies to Improve Recovery of Performance after Matches, Training Sessions, and Competitive Events

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 20903

Special Issue Editors

Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-180, Brazil
Interests: ergogenic aids; performance; recovery; prevention; health; soccer; team sports; blood flow; fitness
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Physiology and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil
Interests: exercise science; exercise performance; exercise testing; sport biomechanics; exercise physiology; sports science; sport physiology; strength and conditioning; hypertension; muscle physiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To maximize human performance, the recovery process is as important as the exercise training process. Poor recovery may be associated with lower performance and higher risk for injury in different sports modalities.

However, historically there are many more scientific studies aiming to understand the optimal load during training than to design optimal recovery plans. Several ergogenic aids (e.g., substances, nutrients, techniques, devices, garments) are supposed to improve physiological and psychological variables that would speed up the recovery of performance, directly or indirectly. In other words, they would allow the body to be ready for maximal performance earlier, generating many benefits.

Despite the fact that several coaches and athletes regularly use these strategies to improve recovery after training and matches, the scientific basis supporting these approaches is not always solid. Thus, scientific studies should test the efficacy of these strategies and their mechanisms.

This Special Issue aims to present scientific outcomes of well-controlled studies that show the efficacy of (or refute) strategies to enhance recovery of performance (e.g., hyperoxia, ischemic conditioning, myofascial release, compression garments, supplements, grounding).

Dr. Mota Gustavo R.
Dr. Moacir Marocolo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ergogenic aids
  • recovery
  • prevention
  • health
  • muscular temperature, blood flow activation, laser, deep massage

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 985 KiB  
Article
Athletes’ Self-Assessment of Urine Color Using Two Color Charts to Determine Urine Concentration
by Floris C. Wardenaar, Daniel Thompsett, Kaila A. Vento, Kathryn Pesek and Dean Bacalzo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(8), 4126; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18084126 - 13 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3712
Abstract
Our objective was to determine self-reported accuracy of an athletic population using two different urine color (Uc) charts (8-color vs. 7-color Uc chart). After approval by the Institutional Review Board, members of an athletic population (n = 189, 20 (19–22) year old student- [...] Read more.
Our objective was to determine self-reported accuracy of an athletic population using two different urine color (Uc) charts (8-color vs. 7-color Uc chart). After approval by the Institutional Review Board, members of an athletic population (n = 189, 20 (19–22) year old student- or tactical athletes and coaches, with n = 99 males and n = 90 females) scored their Uc using two charts. To determine the diagnostic value of Uc, results were compared with urine concentration (osmolality and urine specific gravity, USG). Uc was scored slightly darker with the 8-color vs. 7-color Uc chart (2.2 ± 1.2 vs. 2.0 ± 1.2, respectively, p < 0.001), with a moderate correlation between charts (r = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69–0.81). Bland-Altman analysis showed a weak reporting bias (r = 0.15, p = 0.04). The area under the curve for correct urine sample classification ranged between 0.74 and 0.86. Higher accuracy for both methods was found when Uc scores were compared to USG over osmolality, indicated by 4.8–14.8% range in difference between methods. The optimal Uc cut-off value to assess a low vs. a high urine concentration for both Uc charts varied in this study between 1 and ≤2 while accuracy for charts was similar up to 77% when compared to USG. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1625 KiB  
Article
Multi-Parametric Analysis of Below-Knee Compression Garments on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
by Thilo Hotfiel, Svenja Höger, Armin M. Nagel, Michael Uder, Wolfgang Kemmler, Raimund Forst, Martin Engelhardt, Casper Grim and Rafael Heiss
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3798; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18073798 - 06 Apr 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2479
Abstract
To investigate below-knee compression garments during exercise and a post-exercise period of 6 h on clinical, functional, and morphological outcomes in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eighteen volunteers (age: 24.1 ± 3.6, BMI 22.7 ± 2.7 kg/m2) were enrolled. Measures were acquired [...] Read more.
To investigate below-knee compression garments during exercise and a post-exercise period of 6 h on clinical, functional, and morphological outcomes in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eighteen volunteers (age: 24.1 ± 3.6, BMI 22.7 ± 2.7 kg/m2) were enrolled. Measures were acquired at baseline, 6 h, and 48 h after eccentric and plyometric exercise, with wearing a compression garment (21–22 mmHg) on a calf during and for the first 6 h after exercise. 3T MRI was performed for quantification of intramuscular edema (T2 signal intensity (SI), T2 time, and manual volume segmentation); jump height, calf circumference, ankle dorsiflexion (DF), creatine kinase (CK), and muscle soreness were assessed. DOMS was confirmed in all participants after 48 h, with an increase in soreness (p < 0.001) and CK (p = 0.001), decrease in jump height (p < 0.01), and the presence of intramuscular edema (p < 0.01) in both the compressed and non-compressed limbs. No differences between the compressed and non-compressed limbs were observed for muscle soreness and jump height. MRI T2 SI, T2 time, soreness, and manual segmentation revealed no effect of the compression treatment. The assessment of calf circumference and DF showed no changes in either the compression or non-compression limb (p = 1.0). Wearing compression garments during combined eccentric and plyometric exercise and for 6 h post-exercise has no effect on clinical signs of DOMS, jump performance, or the development of intramuscular edema. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 661 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Soccer Performance Intensity of the Pre–Post-Lockdown COVID-19 in LaLiga™
by Abraham García-Aliaga, Moisés Marquina, Antonio Cordón-Carmona, Manuel Sillero-Quintana, Alfonso de la Rubia, Silvestre Jos Vielcazat, Fabio Nevado Garrosa and Ignacio Refoyo Román
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3685; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18073685 - 01 Apr 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3755 | Correction
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) forced a stoppage in the 2019/2020 season of LaLiga™, possibly influencing performance indicators in the return to competition. Therefore, here, we evaluated whether the stoppage due to the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) lockdown influenced physical performance [...] Read more.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) forced a stoppage in the 2019/2020 season of LaLiga™, possibly influencing performance indicators in the return to competition. Therefore, here, we evaluated whether the stoppage due to the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) lockdown influenced physical performance compared to the start of LaLigaTM in terms of high-intensity efforts. Using a semi-automatic, multiple-camera system, running activities during 22 matches were analyzed. We compared the first 11 matches of the season (pre-lockdown) with the 11 matches just after the restart of LaLiga™ (post-lockdown). The results showed higher (p < 0.05) performance in the pre-lockdown period compared with the post-lockdown period, including in medium-speed running (14.1–21 km/h), high-speed running (21.1–24 km/h), and sprinting speed running distances (>24 km/h). However, the number of accelerations/min and decelerations/min were significantly higher during the post-lockdown period. Therefore, we conclude that the stoppage due to the COVID-19 lockdown generated lower physical performance in the post-lockdown period compared with the pre-lockdown period, most likely due to the accumulation of matches (congested schedules). Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1050 KiB  
Article
Acute Photobiomodulation Does Not Influence Specific High-Intensity and Intermittent Performance in Female Futsal Players
by Izabela Aparecida dos Santos, Marina de Paiva Lemos, Vitória Helena Maciel Coelho, Alessandro Moura Zagatto, Moacir Marocolo, Rogério Nogueira Soares, Octávio Barbosa Neto and Gustavo R. Mota
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(19), 7253; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17197253 - 04 Oct 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2502
Abstract
The acute improvement of performance after photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been reported in different types of exercise. However, the effect on high-intensity and intermittent exercises that are relevant for team sports is unknown. Thus, we evaluated the effect of prior acute application of [...] Read more.
The acute improvement of performance after photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been reported in different types of exercise. However, the effect on high-intensity and intermittent exercises that are relevant for team sports is unknown. Thus, we evaluated the effect of prior acute application of PBMT on high-intensity and intermittent exercise performance, muscle oxygenation, and physiological/perceptual indicators in amateur female futsal players. Thirteen players (24.1 ± 3.7 years) performed a testing battery (countermovement jump (CMJ), Illinois agility and YoYo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIR1)) preceded by 15 min of PBMT (1 min 30 s each muscular point; five muscular points in each lower limbs) or 15 min of placebo (SHAM), in a counterbalanced randomized cross-over design (one-week in-between PBMT/SHAM). All test performance did not differ (p > 0.05) between PBMT and SHAM, as well as blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, and muscle oxygenation (via near infrared spectroscopy) responses. The acute application of PBMT prior to a physical testing battery does not influence high-intensity and intermittent exercises performance, neither physiological nor perceptual responses in amateur female futsal players. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1641 KiB  
Article
Is It High Time to Increase Elite Soccer Substitutions Permanently?
by Gustavo R. Mota, Izabela Aparecida dos Santos, Rhaí André Arriel and Moacir Marocolo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(19), 7008; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17197008 - 25 Sep 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4202
Abstract
Rules determine how team sport matches occur. Match-induced fatigue is specific to each sport, and may be associated with injury incidence. For example, the injury rate in soccer is distinctly higher during matches than in training sessions. Understanding the differences between team sports [...] Read more.
Rules determine how team sport matches occur. Match-induced fatigue is specific to each sport, and may be associated with injury incidence. For example, the injury rate in soccer is distinctly higher during matches than in training sessions. Understanding the differences between team sports rules might be useful for enhancing rules (e.g., safer sport). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of the rule-induced physical demands between soccer, futsal, basketball, and handball, focusing on substitution rules. Data from the elite team sports’ rules (e.g., absolute and relative court dimensions; the number of players, substitutions allowed, total game time, time-outs) were collected, including the changes due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in soccer substitutions, and comparisons were performed. The data showed that soccer has higher rule-induced physical demands: e.g., substantially lower substitution rate, higher dimensions in absolute (eight to fifteen times), and relative (four to eight times) values. Simulations also showed that soccer has extremely large differences, even considering COVID-19 substitution changes (from three to up to five). We conclude that elite soccer has remarkably higher overall rule-induced physical demands than elite futsal, basketball and handball, and increasing soccer substitutions permanently (e.g., unlimited) might mitigate overall soccer demands. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 672 KiB  
Review
Ischemia–Reperfusion Intervention: From Enhancements in Exercise Performance to Accelerated Performance Recovery—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Rhaí André Arriel, Jéssica Ferreira Rodrigues, Hiago Leandro Rodrigues de Souza, Anderson Meireles, Luís Filipe Moutinho Leitão, Antonio Crisafulli and Moacir Marocolo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(21), 8161; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17218161 - 04 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3112
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that brief cycles of ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR) applied before exercise can improve performance and, IR intervention, applied immediately after exercise (post-exercise ischemic conditioning—PEIC) exerts a potential ergogenic effect to accelerate recovery. Thus, the purpose of this systematic [...] Read more.
It has been demonstrated that brief cycles of ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR) applied before exercise can improve performance and, IR intervention, applied immediately after exercise (post-exercise ischemic conditioning—PEIC) exerts a potential ergogenic effect to accelerate recovery. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to identify the effects of PEIC on exercise performance, recovery and the responses of associated physiological parameters, such as creatine kinase, perceived recovery and muscle soreness, over 24 h after its application. From 3281 studies, six involving 106 subjects fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Compared to sham (cuff administration with low pressure) and control interventions (no cuff administration), PEIC led to faster performance recovery (p = 0.004; ES = −0.49) and lower increase in creatine kinase (p < 0.001; effect size (ES) = −0.74) and muscle soreness (p < 0.001; ES = −0.88) over 24 h. The effectiveness of this intervention is more pronounced in subjects with low/moderate fitness level and at least a total time of 10 min of ischemia (e.g., two cycles of 5 min) is necessary to promote positive effects. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop