Effect of acute and residual match-induced fatigue on repeated sprint ability in soccer players.

Limited research exists concerning how Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) performance is impaired and recovered after match-induced loads. The aim of the current study was to describe the effect of post-match acute and residual fatigue on RSA in male semi-professional soccer players. The day before a friendly match, players performed the 7 × 34.2 m Bangsbo RSA Test, which was repeated immediately post-, at 24 hours (h) and 48 h post-match. Internal and external match loads were also monitored during the match. Post-match acute fatigue was reflected in significant impairments in the worst sprint time, the best sprint time, and the mean of the sprint times, but not in fatigue indexes (p < 0.05). Small and non-significant impairments in RSA-derived indices were evident at 24 h post-match (p < 0.05), indicating that a 24 h period was sufficient to recover from post-match residual fatigue. Moreover, RSA performance at post-match and during recovery may be specifically affected by decelerations (p < 0.05). In summary, this study indicates that acute match-induced fatigue may be reflected in marked impairment in RSA performance immediately post-match, while residual match-induced fatigue does not impair RSA performance during the recovery period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]