Recovery kinetics following matches in congested vs. non-congested schedules: effects on pressure pain sensitivity, delayed onset muscle soreness, and muscular performance in soccer players

This study investigated recovery responses in male Under-19 soccer players over a 48-hour period following a match, comparing congested (CW) versus non-congested (RW) schedules. Nineteen male provincial-level players (Tier 2: trained/developmental) who started and played at least 60 min in each match of both study weeks participated. Assessments of Countermovement Jump (CMJ) height (cm), Pressure Pain Sensitivity (PPS, kPa), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, au) were conducted at pre-match, 15 min post-match, 24 h, and 48 h post-match. No training or specific recovery strategies were implemented between assessments. Linear mixed-model analyses showed significant Week × Time interactions for PPS (p < .001) and VAS (p < .001), but not for CMJ (p = .071). Post-hoc contrasts indicated that CMJ height was significantly lower in the congested week at 24 h (- 1.31 cm, p = .027) and 48 h (- 1.59 cm, p < .001). PPS was lower during the congested week at 24 h (- 26.96 kPa, p < .001) and 48 h (- 23.09 kPa, p < .001), while VAS values were higher at all post-match time points (Post: +16.63 au; 24 h: +12.53 au; 48 h: +21.84 au; all p < .001). These findings suggest that fixture congestion delays neuromuscular and sensory recovery, reflected by prolonged impairments in jump performance and elevated pain sensitivity.