European journal of applied physiologyMar 31, 2011

Changes in muscle strength, calcium release, and energy recovery in the first 72 hours after a top-level soccer game

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Updated Apr 3, 2026

Abstract

Maximal voluntary contraction force was 11% lower immediately after a competitive soccer game.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake was significantly reduced immediately after the game compared to other time points.
Plasma myoglobin levels were sixfold higher immediately post-game but returned to baseline within 24 hours.
Quadriceps muscle soreness peaked immediately after the game and remained elevated for up to 72 hours.
Muscle glycogen levels were significantly reduced by 57% immediately after the game and by 27% after 24 hours.
Recovery of sarcoplasmic reticulum function occurred faster than recovery of maximal voluntary contraction force, muscle soreness, and glycogen levels.

Simplified

The aim of this study was to examine maximal voluntary knee-extensor contraction force (MVC force), sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function and muscle glycogen levels in the days after a high-level soccer game when players ingested an optimised diet. Seven high-level male soccer players had a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy and a blood sample collected in a control situation and at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after a competitive soccer game. MVC force, SR function, muscle glycogen, muscle soreness and plasma myoglobin were measured. MVC force sustained over 1 s was 11 and 10% lower (P < 0.05) after 0 and 24 h, respectively, compared with control. The rate of SR Ca(2+) uptake at 800 nM [Ca(2+)](free) was lower (P < 0.05) after 0 h (2.5 μmol Ca(2+) g prot(-1) min(-1)) than for all other time points (24 h: 5.1 μmol Ca(2+) g prot(-1) min(-1)). However, SR Ca(2+) release rate was not affected. Plasma myoglobin was sixfold higher (P < 0.05) immediately after the game, but normalised 24 h after the game. Quadriceps muscle soreness (0-10 VAS-scale) was higher (P < 0.05) after 0 h (3.6), 24 h (1.8), 48 h (1.1) and 72 h (1.4) compared with control (0.1). Muscle glycogen was 57 and 27% lower (P < 0.001) 0 and 24 h after the game compared with control (193 and 328 vs. 449 mmol kg d w(-1)). In conclusion, maximal voluntary contraction force and SR Ca(2+) uptake were impaired and muscle soreness was elevated after a high-level soccer game, with faster recovery of SR function in comparison with MVC force, soreness and muscle glycogen.

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Changes in muscle strength, calcium release, and energy recovery in the first 72 hours after a top-level soccer game

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