The between-match variability of peak power output and Creatine Kinase responses to soccer match-play.

Post-match assessments of peak power output (PPO) during countermovement jumps and Creatine Kinase (CK) concentrations are common markers of recovery status in soccer players. Yet, the impact of soccer match-play on recovery in the 48 h after competition is unclear and the between-match variability of these responses has not been examined. Fourteen reserve team players from an English Premier League club were examined over 1-4 matches per player. CK and PPO were measured before, 24 h and 48 h after each match. Data were analyzed with within-subjects linear mixed models. Compared with the pre-match baseline, PPO was 237+/-170 W and 98+/-168 W lower at 24 h and 48 h, respectively (P0.05). Within-subjects correlations between PPO and CK were significant (r=-0.558; P