A multimodal non-fatiguing recovery strategy improves neuromuscular restoration and attenuates inflammatory and oxidative stress responses following a standardized football match: a randomized crossover study

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study compared the effects of a modern multimodal non-fatiguing recovery protocol with traditional low-intensity active running and passive recovery on neuromuscular performance, muscle damage, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and perceptual outcomes following a standardized football match. Methods Twenty male semi-professional football players completed a randomized, counterbalanced, repeated-measures crossover design. Each participant completed three recovery conditions: passive recovery, traditional active running at 55–60% HRmax, and modern multimodal recovery consisting of very low-intensity cycling at 40–50% HRmax, foam rolling, and percussive therapy. A 7-day washout interval separated experimental periods. Neuromuscular performance and biochemical markers were assessed at baseline (Pre), immediately following completion of the assigned 20-min recovery condition (post-recovery), and at 24 h. Perceptual outcomes were assessed at post-recovery and 24 h. Results The standardized football match was followed by neuromuscular impairments and increases in markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The modern condition showed smaller post-recovery declines in several neuromuscular outcomes, including peak force (− 7.5% vs. −14.3% in passive recovery), RFD (− 12.9% vs. −21.4%), and CMJ height (− 7.3% vs. −16.0%). Significant pairwise differences favored the modern condition over passive recovery for several outcomes, whereas differences between the modern and traditional active recovery conditions were outcome-specific. At 24 h, several neuromuscular variables were numerically closer to baseline under the modern condition. The modern condition also showed smaller increases in CK (+ 78% vs. +115% in passive recovery), IL-6 (+ 172% vs. +239%), MDA (+ 40% vs. +56%), and TOS (+ 40% vs. +63%), together with smaller disturbances in antioxidant status. Perceptual outcomes similarly showed a more favorable recovery pattern under the modern condition. Conclusion A modern multimodal non-fatiguing recovery strategy may support short-term neuromuscular recovery and attenuate biochemical disturbances following a standardized football match, particularly when compared with passive recovery. However, differences between the modern and traditional active recovery conditions were outcome-specific and were not consistently observed across all measures. These findings support interpreting the multimodal protocol as an integrated recovery strategy rather than as evidence for the independent efficacy of its individual components. Clinical trail number This study was not prospectively registered.