The impact of 120 minutes of match-play on recovery and subsequent match performance: a case report in professional soccer players

The influence of a match including extra-time (ET) on subsequent 90 min match performance and recovery has not been investigated. Four professional soccer players played in three competitive matches in a 7 day period: matches one (MD1) and three (MD3) lasted 90 min and match 2 (MD2) lasted 120 min (i.e., included ET). Physical (total and HI distance covered, accelerations and decelerations, and mechanical load) and technical performances (pass and dribble accuracy) were analyzed throughout match-play. Subjective measures of recovery and countermovement jump (CMJ) height were made 36-42 h post-match. Post-MD2, there were very or most likely harmful effects of ET on CMJ height (-6±9%) muscle soreness (+18±12%) and fatigue (+27±4%) scores, and overall wellness score (-13±5%) compared to post-MD1. Furthermore, there were very likely harmful effects on muscle soreness (+13±14%), wellness scores (-8±10%), and CMJ height (-6±9%) post-MD3 vs. post-MD1. There was a possibly harmful effect of ET on HI distance covered during MD3, along with reductions in pass (-9.3%) and dribble (-12.4%) accuracy. An ET match negatively impacted recovery 36 h post-match. Furthermore, in some players, indices of performance in a 90 min match played 64 h following ET are compromised, with subsequent recovery also adversely affected.