Table 5 Player level and response to questions regarding the off-season and pre-season period. Answers are in weeks

Complete inactivity

2.86 ± 1.84*

4.03 ± 2.43*

3.29 ± 1.27

3.38 ± 2.36

2.81 ± 1.64

Optimal length

8.59 ± 1.57*

9.17 ± 2.53

9.60 ± 1.44*,**

9.18 ± 2.06***

8.12 ± 2.23**,***

Optimal length

9.50 ± 2.83*

8.80 ± 2.44

7.92 ± 2.53*,**

8.30 ± 2.94***

10.46 ± 3.90**,***

Minimal length

7.37 ± 2.72

7.00 ± 2.65

6.16 ± 1.60*

6.57 ± 2.66**

8.68 ± 3.07*,**