Countermovement Jump Recovery in Professional Soccer Players Using an Inertial Sensor

Malachy McHugh, Tom Clifford, Will Abbott, Susan Kwiecien, Ian Kremenic, Joseph DeVita, Glyn Howatson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)
24 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of an inertial sensor for assessing recovery in professional soccer players.

Methods

In a randomized, crossover design, 11 professional soccer players wore shorts fitted with phase change material (PCM) cooling packs or uncooled packs (control) for 3 h after a 90 minute match. Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance was assessed simultaneously with an inertial sensor and an optoelectric system, pre match, and 12, 36 and 60 h post match. Inertial sensor metrics were flight height, jump height, low force, countermovement distance, force at low point, rate of eccentric force development, peak propulsive force, maximum power, and peak landing force. The only optoelectric metric was flight height. CMJ decrements, and effect of PCM cooling were assessed with repeated measures ANOVA. Jump heights were also compared between devices.

Results

For the inertial sensor data there were decrements in CMJ height on the days after matches (88±10% of baseline at 36 h P=0.012, effect size 1.2, for control condition) and accelerated recovery with PCM cooling (105±15% of baseline at 36 h, P=0.018 vs. control, effect size 1.1). Flight heights were strongly correlated between devices (r=0.905, P<0.001) but inertial sensor values were 1.8±1.8 cm lower (P=0.008). Low force during countermovement was increased (P=0.031) and landing force was decreased (P=0.043) after matches, but neither were affected by the PCM cooling intervention. Other CMJ metrics were unchanged after matches.

Conclusions

This small portable inertial sensor provides a practical means of assessing recovery in soccer players.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9-15
JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • muscle function
  • accelerometer
  • cryotherapy
  • phase change material
  • power

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Countermovement Jump Recovery in Professional Soccer Players Using an Inertial Sensor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this