Recovery Kinetics Following Change of Direction Training

This study aims at investigating the recovery kinetics of skeletal muscle damage, neuromuscular fatigue and performance following a single change of direction (COD) training session in competitive soccer players. The impact of COD degrees will be also examined by comparing a 45o vs. 90o COD training session. Ten male soccer players will perform a COD45 \[A single training session including 2x(10x \~27.6m) sprints with two 45o COD in each sprint\], a COD90 \[A single training session including 2x(10x \~21.2m) sprints with two 90o COD in each sprint\] and a Control trial (No intervention included, only daily measurements) in randomized, repeated measures, crossover design. Assessments related to skeletal muscle damage, neuromuscular fatigue and performance will be performed prior to training session and daily for three consecutive days post-training, in each trial.