Journals Information
International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 13(4), pp. 784 - 792
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130414
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Athletic Recovery in Modern Football: From Physiology to Applied Practice
Pafis George 1, Malliou Vasiliki 2,*, Ispirlidis Ioannis 1, Koutra Christina 1, Katsikas Christos 2
1 Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
2 Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
ABSTRACT
Athletic recovery in modern professional football represents a multifactorial process influenced by physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. The intense demands of continuous matches and training sessions, combined with limited recovery time, highlight the urgent need for evidence-based and individualized recovery strategies. The aim of this review is to present the most widely applied methods at the elite level and to evaluate their effectiveness based on scientific data. Among these methods are ice bath therapy, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), massage therapy, self-myofascial release using foam rollers, active recovery (especially in water), stretching, compression garments, sleep, and nutrition. The importance of balancing fundamental recovery practices with innovative technologies is emphasized, as is the necessity of tailoring interventions to the individual needs of each athlete. The literature review indicates that no single method is entirely effective on its own; rather, the combined and targeted application of these strategies鈥攁t the appropriate time鈥攃an enhance performance, reduce fatigue, and lower the risk of injury. Modern recovery requires a multi-layered and flexible model, oriented toward the specific demands of both the sport and the individual football player.
KEYWORDS
Recovery, Football, Fatigue, Ice Bath, Cryotherapy, Sleep, HBOT, Active Recovery
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Pafis George , Malliou Vasiliki , Ispirlidis Ioannis , Koutra Christina , Katsikas Christos , "Athletic Recovery in Modern Football: From Physiology to Applied Practice," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 784 - 792, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130414.
(b). APA Format:
Pafis George , Malliou Vasiliki , Ispirlidis Ioannis , Koutra Christina , Katsikas Christos (2025). Athletic Recovery in Modern Football: From Physiology to Applied Practice. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 13(4), 784 - 792. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130414.