Background: Player tracking devices are commonly used to monitor external load from training and matches in team sports. Yet, how the derived external load variables relate to fatigue and recovery post-training or post-match is scarcely researched. The objective was, therefore, to investigate how external load variables affect recovery markers up to 72 h post-match. Methods: Semiprofessional players from six teams wore tracking devices during three experimental football matches. External load variables including individual playing duration, total distance, PlayerLoad™, high-intensity running, and high-intensity events were derived from the tracking devices, and blood samples and performance tests from 24-59 players were undertaken post-match. The effect of the external load variables on creatine kinase, myoglobin, and countermovement jump at 1, 24, 48, and 72 h, and 30-m sprint and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery tests level 1 at 72 h post-match, were modeled. Effects were gauged as two standard deviations of the external load and interpreted as the difference between a typical high-load and a typical low-load match. The effects were evaluated with 90% confidence intervals and magnitude-based inferences. Results: High-intensity running had very likely substantial effects on creatine kinase and myoglobin (moderate factor increases of 1.5-2.0 and 1.3-1.6 respectively), while duration, total distance, and HIE showed small, likely substantial effects. PlayerLoad™ and total distance had likely substantial effects on 30-m sprint time (small increases of 2.1-2.6%). Effects on countermovement jump performance were generally non-substantial. Despite these relationships, the uncertainty was too large to predict the recovery of individual players from the external load variables. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that external load variables have an effect on recovery markers up to 72 h post-match. Hence, tracking external load in matches may be helpful for practitioners when managing training load and recovery strategies post-match. However, it is recommended that several different external load variables are monitored. Future research should continue to address the problem of predicting recovery from external load variables.
Keywords: muscle damage; neuromuscular fatigue; performance; player monitoring; sprint.