Time Course of Recovery for Performance Attributes and Circulating Markers of Muscle Damage Following a Rugby Union Match in Amateur Athletes
Bruno Victor Corrêa da Silva,
Mário Antônio de Moura Simim,
Rodrigo Barboza da Silva,
Edmar Lacerda Mendes,
Bernardo Neme Ide,
Moacir Marocolo,
Jeffrey S. Martin,
Gustavo R. Mota
Affiliations
Bruno Victor Corrêa da Silva
Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-350, Brazil
Mário Antônio de Moura Simim
Research Group in Biodynamic Human Movement, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
Rodrigo Barboza da Silva
Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-350, Brazil
Edmar Lacerda Mendes
Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-350, Brazil
Bernardo Neme Ide
Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
Moacir Marocolo
Physiology and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 360360-900, Brazil
Jeffrey S. Martin
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University—Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA
Gustavo R. Mota
Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-350, Brazil
Background: We sought to determine the time course of changes in neuromuscular performance and muscle damage following a single rugby union match. Methods: Fourteen male amateur rugby players (28.9 ± 3.5 yrs; 1.7 ± 5.1 m; 86.1 ± 11.1 kg) participated. Plasma activity of creatine kinase ([CK]) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), L-run test (change of direction) and 30-m sprint (T30; speed) with 10-m lap time (T10; acceleration) were assessed on six occasions: one week before the match (PRE) and immediately, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-match. Results: Relative to PRE, LDH was elevated immediately post-match (+33.6% ± 13.6%; p p = 0.001) and 24 h post-match (+352% ± 317%; p = 0.024). L-run test time increased 16.0 ± 8.7% relative to PRE at 24 h post (p p p = 0.008; and +6.1% ± 4.9%; p = 0.006, respectively), though T30 times were similar to baseline by 48 h post-match whereas T10 times remained elevated through 72 h post-match. Conclusions: A single, competitive rugby union match induces significant muscle damage and performance decrements with distinct time courses of recovery in amateur athletes. Notably, change of direction attributes (i.e., L-run) appear to have the longest time course to full recovery.
