Performance Optimization in Football: Load Management and Recovery Strategies
Chapter from the book:
Yazıcı,
A.
G.
&
Alaeddinoğlu,
V.
&
Özdemir,
K.
&
Atasever,
G.
(eds.)
2025.
Research on Movement, Training, and Exercise in Sports.
Synopsis
Modern football pushes the physiological limits of athletes due to the increasing frequency of matches and the heightened physical intensity of the game. This study examines the load management and recovery strategies implemented in elite football players to ensure sustainable performance and minimize injury risk. Performance optimization requires a precise balance between external load (running distances, sprint counts) and internal load (heart rate, rating of perceived exertion). The article highlights the critical role of GPS-based tracking systems and biometric data in training dosage. Furthermore, the effectiveness of recovery methods such as cold-water immersion, compression garments, sleep hygiene improvement, and nutritional protocols—used to reduce post-match inflammation and replenish glycogen stores—is evaluated in light of current literature. In conclusion, it is observed that individualized load monitoring processes are the most effective tools for navigating the fine line between "undertraining" and "overtraining," and that recovery strategies directly impact not only physical but also cognitive performance.
