Intermittent pneumatic compression does not improve post-match neuromuscular, biochemical or perceptual recovery in international-level youth soccer players: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

TL;DR

This study found that high-pressure intermittent pneumatic compression does not improve recovery in youth soccer players after matches.

Contribution

The study provides evidence that IPC is not more effective than a placebo for post-match recovery in elite youth soccer players.

Findings

No significant differences were found between IPC and placebo in recovery markers.

Match-induced fatigue was confirmed through CK, perceived fatigue, and soreness.

Internal load, external load, and sleep influenced recovery markers.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a single session of high-pressure intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on post-match recovery in international level youth soccer players, using neuromuscular, biochemical, and perceptual markers.

Forty-two observations (across 6 matches) of 23 elite U19 soccer players (age: 17.45 ± 0.72 years; height: 1.82 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 74.95 ± 6.45 kg) participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Following competitive matches, participants were assigned to receive either 30 min of high-pressure IPC (200 mmHg) or a placebo intervention (hydrant cream). Recovery status was assessed pre-match, and at 30 min, 24- and 48-hours post-match using countermovement jump height, low-frequency fatigue of the knee extensors (Myocene®), creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, and self-reported fatigue and soreness. Linear mixed models were used to examine the effects of time, group, and time x group interaction. Covariates such as perceived exertion, GPS metrics, and sleep metrics were included when appropriate.

No significant time x group interactions were found for any of the variables under analysis (p = 0.089 to 0.834). Significant main effects of time were detected in CK, perceived fatigue and soreness (p < 0.001), confirming match-induced fatigue, but without group differences. Exploratory analyses revealed that internal and external load, as well as total sleep time influenced recovery markers, particularly CK and perceptual responses.

A single session of high-pressure IPC does not seem to enhance post-match recovery in elite youth soccer players compared to a placebo, on neuromuscular, biochemical, and subjective markers.

ClinicalTrials.gov code NCT06636942 (date of registration: 02/10/2024).

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