Background Frequently, soccer players are in search of methods to speed-up recovery post-exercise due to fixture congestion. Players and staff have limited reliable evidence regarding the most effective recovery methods post-exercise. Vast differences in infrastructure, staff and finances exist between teams in South African soccer leagues. Monitoring the implementation of recovery methods by each team presents a significant challenge. The purpose of the present study is to describe the recovery methods, frequency of use, barriers to implementation and factors influencing potential decision makers. The findings could assist medical staff and players to select evidence-based methods. Methods A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was employed. Staff responsible for recovery methods throughout three professional soccer leagues in South Africa were purposively recruited. A customised questionnaire was designed to obtain data on the recovery methods implemented by South African soccer teams, as well as to investigate barriers to implementation of these methods. A panel of experts reviewed and validated the questionnaire. The majority of the questionnaires were completed online, and several face-to-face interviews were conducted. Confidentiality of the data was ensured, and informed consent was obtained from each participant. Results A total of 48 questionnaires were completed, 16 from each of the three leagues. Two questionnaires were excluded as participants indicated that they did not use recovery methods and one questionnaire was incomplete. The majority of respondents were fitness trainers or physiotherapists with an average of 8 ± 4 years’ working experience in soccer. Five different recovery methods were used most frequently. Rehydration (n= 45, 94%), nutrition (n= 41, 85%), and stretching (n= 41, 85%) post-exercise, were reportedly used most frequently. The majority of participants (n= 38, 79%) considered the recovery methods to improve performance. There was no statistical difference in the average number of recovery methods utilised by teams in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and National First Division (NFD; PSL 7 ± 2 vs. NFD 6 ± 1, p = 0.24). However, National Second Division (NSD) teams used significantly fewer recovery methods than PSL teams (PSL 7 ± 2 vs. NSD 5 ± 1, p < 0.003). The greatest barriers staff reported were a lack of player interest and insufficient funds. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that the use of recovery methods occurs at all professional levels of South African soccer. Teams are implementing recovery methods without sufficient evidence to justify its use (i.e. stretching, massage, active recovery or cold water immersion). While nutrition and hydration are very well utilised across South African soccer, sleep interventions remain under utilised. Most teams sourced protocols based on anecdotal evidence, therefore recovery method implementation should be re-examined. Teams in the top tiered league used more recovery methods compared to lower tiered teams, most likely due to the greater resources available. However, a lack of player interest was one of the biggest barriers to implementation. It is recommended that staff and players receive improved and focused educational interventions regarding the efficacy of various recovery methods, which may also assist in altering behaviour towards more evidence-based recovery methods.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uct/oai:localhost:11427/31674 |
| Date | 23 April 2020 |
| Creators | Maree, Dustin |
| Contributors | Tee, Jason, Burgess, Theresa, Lambert, Mike |
| Publisher | Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Master Thesis, Masters, MSc |
| Format | application/pdf |
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