Recovery Kinetics After Repeated Sprint Training With Directional Changes in Soccer: It Is a Matter of Angle

ABSTRACT: Poulios, A, Grammenos, N, Fatouros, IG, Avloniti, A, Tsimeas, P, Papanikolaou, K, Syrou, N, Rosvoglou, A, Tsaousidis, I, Chatzinikolaou, A, Tsiokanos, A, Mohr, M, Jamurtas, AZ, and Draganidis, D. Recovery kinetics after repeated sprint training with directional changes in soccer: It is a matter of angle. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study determined the recovery kinetics of performance, delay onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and neuromuscular fatigue after repeated sprint training using 2 angles of changes of direction (COD) in soccer. Ten male players randomly completed 3 conditions using a randomized cross-over, repeated measures design: control, COD45 (COD of 45°) and COD90 (COD of 90°). Training load was monitored using global positioning system with accelerometers and heart-rate monitors. Blood count, maximal voluntary isometric contraction, countermovement jump (CMJ), DOMS, speed, and agility were measured at baseline and at 24-, 48-, and 72-h postexercise. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction, CMJ, and DOMS were also evaluated at 1-, 2- and 3-h postexercise. Agility, DOMS, and blood count levels remained unaltered in all conditions ( p > 0.05). Blood lactate increased (COD45:91%; COD90:89.5%, p < 0.05) postexercise. COD45 was characterized by a higher average (31%) and maximum speed (25%) and lower decelerations (58-77%) and accelerations (66-77%) than COD90 ( p < 0.05). The 10- and 30-m speed in COD45 decreased ( p < 0.05) by 20 and 9% postexercise and remained lower (4-12%) than that in COD90 for as long as 24 h. Countermovement jump declined ( p < 0.05) for 3 h in COD45 (8%) and 24 h in COD90 (5-7%). Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of knee extensors in COD45 declined (8%) and was lower than COD90 (9%) at 24 h in both limbs. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of knee flexors decreased (COD45:14%) for 24 h in dominant and 3 h (COD45:2%, COD90:14%) in nondominant limb with COD45 inducing a greater decline than COD90 ( p < 0.05). Although COD protocols do not increase DOMS, it seems that COD training at lower angles may be associated with a slower recovery (24 h) than that at greater angles.