The relationship between heart rate recovery and temporary fatigue of kinematic and energetic indices among soccer players

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: The aims of the study were to investigate (1) fluctuations in kinematic and locomotor-based metabolic power estimates during elite-level under-21 soccer matches and (2) the relationship between temporary fatigue during matches and heart rate (HR) responses to the YO-YO intermittent recovery test 1 (YO-YO IR1).Methods: High-speed running (HSR), high metabolic load (HML) distances and average metabolic power (AMP) data were collected from 13 elite soccer players during 6 matches using global positioning systems. Indices of heart rate recovery (HRR60s; HR60s; %HRR60s) were assessed after a submaximal (YO-YO IR1). The peak 5-min period of matches was higher than both the subsequent 5-min period and the match average for all physical variables (P < 0.001).Results: HML distance was greater (P < 0.001) in peak, post-peak and mean 5-min periods compared to HSR. Peak intensity HML distance was related to %HRR60s (r = −0.331) but not AMP (r = −0.273) or HSR distance (r = −0.224).Conclusions: HML distance should be used to monitor fluctuations in intensity during soccer matches. HRR measured after a submaximal YO-YO IR1 has limited potential, in the assessment of the match specific fitness of players.