da Silva, CD, Machado, G, Fernandes, AA, Teoldo, I, Pimenta, EM, Marins, JCB, and
Garcia, ES. Muscle damage-based recovery strategies can be supported by predictive
capacity of specific global positioning system accelerometry parameters immediately
after soccer match-load. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1410-1418, 2021-Soccer match-load
can be linked to recovery kinetic markers. However, match variability hinders the
magnitude of relationship between parameters of interest. Therefore, we examined the
correlation between 21 global positioning system accelerometry (GPS-A) parameters
and changes in serum creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, muscle soreness (MS), and
perceptive recovery quality (PRQ) assessed at baseline (1 h before) and post (0 minute,
2, 4, and 24 hours) a standardized 90-minute match-simulation in 20 university players.
Global positioning system accelerometry (15 Hz) data were tested as manufacturer and
configurable thresholds. Four GPS-A parameters showed moderate to very large correlations
with CK changes at all time points (average speed [avgSP, r = 0.75 to r = 0.84]; running
symmetry foot strikes [RSfst, r = 0.53-0.63]; running series [RunS, r = 0.53-0.61];
and acceleration distance [AccD ≥ 1.5 m·s-2; r = 0.46-0.61]). Sprint count (≥2 m·s-2),
AccD (≥2.5 m·s-2) and speed exertion (SpEx) had a moderate to large correlation (r
= 0.46-0.56) with CK changes from 2 to 24 hours. Changes in MS at 0 minute had large
correlation with avgSP (r = 0.53) and moderate with deceleration distance (≥-2 and
≥-3 m·s-2; r = 0.47, r = 0.48, respectively). The PRQ changes had moderate inverse
correlation with avgSP at 0 minute (r = -0.39) and SpEx at 2 h (r = -0.69). Our results
suggest that during a simulated soccer protocol with a standard workload, only the
avgSP has practical application for predicting CK changes over 24 hours, allowing
for a decision-making toward a postgame recovery based on previously known CK cutoff
points. Global positioning system accelerometry parameters and subjective variables
did not demonstrate relevant correlation.