Abstract
This study aimed to examine the relationship between thigh muscle glycogen consumption and recovery kinetics using 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in semi-professional soccer players. Four male semi-professional soccer players participated in this study. Muscle glycogen levels were measured using 13C MRS before (Pre), within 2 h after the game (Post), 24 h after (A24h), and 48 h after (A48h) the Post. The rate of decrease in muscle glycogen levels tended to increase as high-intensity running distance ( > 13 km · h-1; HIR) increased during the match. The recovery kinetics of muscle glycogen levels showed a strongly negative correlation with HIR (r=- 1.00, p<0.05), and a moderately negative correlation with the total distance covered (TD) (r=-0.73, p>0.05) at A24h. Despite the small number of subjects, these results suggested that muscle glycogen consumption and recovery kinetics were affected by game performance, particularly HIR. Thus, these data could be beneficial as baseline data when planning an individualized recovery strategy after the match with taking into consideration of the match's external load.
