## 4 Discussion
In fact, when looking at the individual responses (Figure 3), it can be seen that there is large variability in the muscle soreness values reported by pivots. As a result of our research, we propose four recovery strategies that should be developed and implemented by handball coaches and practitioners to expedite the biological recovery course in shorter timeframes and to increase player availability, especially during periods of congested travel and competition schedules: (1) prescribing the optimal load during the first training sessions of the microcycle (MD+1 and MD+2), which could be the first recovery strategy [1]; (2) ensuring and promoting the implementation of primary recovery strategies (e.g., sleep, nutrition, hydration, massage, and active recovery) [32]; (3) applying emerging protocols and methodologies (e.g., foam rollers, compression garments, water immersion, or cryotherapy) considering player preferences and beliefs [1]; and (4) prescribing dietary supplements (e.g., protein, creatine, and polyphenols) considering individual differences and needs [33]. Regarding player roles, starters reported higher absolute values of match RPE, fatigue, muscle soreness, and the Hooper index in MD+1 compared to non-starters. Similarly, a study conducted with male handball players showed that muscle soreness of the knee flexor and extensor increased postgame, peaked at 24 h, and recovered thereafter [34]. It must be noted that in this study no differentiation was made between starters and non-starters. Also, we discovered comparable findings in previous studies conducted with elite female soccer players, where internal load was greater in players from the starting line-ups [7]. Our findings may be partly clarified by the large playing time and, consequently, the higher number of physical contact, inflammatory responses, and external load experienced by starters compared to non-starters, as indicated in previous research [22; 34; 35; 36]. Therefore, these results highlight the need to implement different training interventions in MD+1 according to the player role (starter vs. non-starter), as in other sports with a similar competitive schedule such as soccer and basketball [7; 18; 37]. More precisely, starters should focus on recovering from match-induced fatigue with different strategies (e.g., sleep, nutrition, hydration, massage, and active recovery), and non-starters should incorporate compensatory training interventions that replicate the same intensities (distance/minute) in training as experienced in the match to enhance, or at a minimum, sustain their sport-specific fitness level (e.g., repeated sprint training or on-court transition drills that promote a substantial volume of high-speed running and sprinting) [38]. This approach enables coaches to balance the workload of starters and non-starters across the microcycle [38]. Nevertheless, some research indicates that these training sessions in MD+1 may not fully compensate for the match load, and from a long-term perspective, non-starter players could potentially be under-trained, especially considering high-intensity actions [7,21]. Furthermore, this situation could be aggravated if non-starters remain in that role for a long period of time [38]. To overcome this challenge, handball coaches and practitioners should consider the playing time as an effective tool to dispense the match load among a greater number of players and, consequently, to improve the training load distribution during the microcycle [36]. Apart from that, it should also be pointed out that no differences in match RPE and well-being responses were found between starters and non-starters in MD+2. Additionally, regardless of the playing position and the player role, all players reported moderately less fatigue and lower Hooper index scores in MD+2 compared to MD+1. These results suggest that 2 days could be enough for the starters to recover from match fatigue, as previously mentioned by [PERSON] et al., 2014 [34].