The effects of six weeks of deep-water running after soccer practice combined with plyometric training on indirect symptoms of muscle damage

Abstract

This study examined the effects of deep-water running for 6 wk after soccer practice combined with plyometric training on the indirect symptoms of muscle damage. Thirty soccer players were divided into three groups-the control group (CON) performed stretching, the experimental group I (DWR) performed deep-water running combined with stretching, and the experimental group II (JOG) performed jogging combined with stretching. Individuals in each group performed different activities for 25 min after their daily training program. The creatine kinase levels in the CON group showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase from the DWR group at 12 hr, 84 hr and at week 6. The lactate dehydrogenase levels in plasma changed significantly (P < 0.05) in both the CON and JOG groups at 84 hr post-training. The drop jump and countermovement jump values after training were below the pre-training baseline (P < 0.05). The maximum voluntary isometric contraction force and ankle extension range of motion (ROM) in the DWR group changed significantly (P < 0.05) from pre-training throughout the period. The ankle flexion ROM in the DWR and JOG groups at 24 hr, 96 hr, week 5 and week 6 was significantly (P < 0.05) above the pre-training baseline, while muscle soreness increased significantly in all groups at 24 hr and 96 hr post-training.