The impact of official soccer matches on the biochemical and neuromuscular performance indicators of elite young players

Abstract

Soccer is a physically demanding sport, with young players covering total distances of 7,000 to 10,000 m per match. They perform 52 to 100 accelerations and 1,379 to 1,459 activity changes every 4 seconds, requiring up to 72 hours for full recovery. Furthermore, the most critical moments of the game, such as recovering the ball, scoring a goal or making a save, depend on the athlete's ability to perform better in high-intensity movements. The aim of this study was to examine the neuromuscular and biochemical responses of high-level young soccer players to official matches, in order to provide more information about the match impact on the players. Despite the apparent popularity of the subject, there is a lack of scientific evidence on the topic. The sample included 42 male players aged 16–22 years without injury history, divided into an experimental group (n=24) and a control group (n=18). Measurements included neuromuscular performance indices and biochemical markers obtained through blood sampling, conducted 24 hours before and 24 hours after each match. External match load was monitored using a GPS system (Stats, Apex Pro). This protocol was repeated for six matches. Repeatedmeasures ANOVA was used to analyze changes over time, and paired t-tests analysis. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 29, with significance set at p≤0.05. Results indicated that all measured performance indicators were negatively affected following matches. These findings highlight the multifactorial nature of fatigue in elite young soccer players and underscore the importance of integrated monitoring using biochemical, neuromuscular, and subjective indicators. Organized in-season rehabilitation programs are recommended to facilitate recovery and maintain performance, and further research is suggested to evaluate specific rehabilitation protocols.