Postmatch Perceived Exertion, Feeling, and Wellness in Professional Soccer Players

To assess postmatch perceived exertion, feeling, and wellness according to the match outcome (winning, drawing, or losing) in professional soccer players.

In total, 12 outfield players were followed during 52 official matches where the outcomes (win, draw, or lose) were noted. Following each match, players completed both a 10-point Borg scale modified by Foster and an 11-point Hardy and Rejeski scale rating of perceived feeling. Rating of perceived sleep quality, stress, fatigue, and muscle soreness was collected separately on a 7-point scale the day following each match.

Player rating of perceived exertion was higher by a very large magnitude following a loss compared with a draw or a win and higher by a small magnitude after a draw compared with a win. Players felt more pleasure after a win compared with a draw or loss and more displeasure after a loss compared with draw. The players reported a largely and moderately better perceived sleep quality, less stress, and fatigue following a win compared with a draw or a loss and a moderately bad perceived sleep quality, higher stress, and fatigue following a draw compared with a loss. In contrast, only a trivial-small change was observed in perceived muscle soreness between all outcomes.

Match outcomes moderately to largely affect rating of perceived exertion, feeling, sleep quality, stress, and fatigue, whereas perceived muscle soreness remains high regardless of the match outcome. However, winning a match decreases the strain and improves both pleasure and wellness in professional soccer players.