Comparison of Inflammatory Responses to a Soccer Match Between Elite Male and Female Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory responses between male and female soccer players for a period of 48 hours after an official match. Blood samples were taken from 83 subjects (22 elite male and 21 elite female soccer players and 20 male and 20 female inactive individuals) in the morning of the game day, immediately after the soccer game and 24 and 48 hours after the match. Average relative exercise intensity during the match was similar in male and female players, as indicated by mean heart rate that was 86.9 ± 4.3 and 85.6 ± 2.3% of maximal heart rate (p = 0.23), respectively. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) increased 2- to 4-fold above resting values, peaking immediately after the match. C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine kinase peaked 24 hours after the match. Interleukin 6, CRP, and creatine kinase responses were similar in male and female players, but the peak in TNF-α was 18% higher in male players. Interleukin 6, TNF-α, and CRP at rest were lower in male and female players compared with the control subjects, suggesting a protective effect of regular exercise training regarding the inflammatory profile. The results of this study show that a soccer match induces significant inflammatory responses in both male and female players, with only TNF-α peak values being lower in females. Because of the effects of inflammatory responses on performance and health of the players, it is suggested that coaches and trainers should adjust exercise training programs after a match to promote recovery and protect the athletes' health.

The Effect of Caffeine Supplementation on Trained Individuals Subjected to Maximal Treadmill Test

“…According to such findings, intense exercises have increased IL-6 expression, but with no significant effect on the anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 levels (Della-Gatta et al, 2014; Skarpańska-Stejnborn et al, 2015; Souglis et al, 2015). The IL-6 has shown reduction due to aerobic training in patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and moderate or severe asthma (França-Pinto et al, 2015), and in obese youngsters subjected to resistance training (Shultz et al, 2015).…”

Fatigue and Recovery in Soccer: Evidence and Challenges

“…Post-match increases in plasma CK have been observed [158], and are smaller when pre-match levels are greater [175], but may go up to 84% (p=0.17) when pre-match levels are in the normal ranges [56]. The majority of studies showed high concentrations of plasma CK at 24 [9,53,176], 48 [2,50,54,55,177], and 72 hours post-match [52]. Post-match increases in LDH have also been reported in elite and sub-elite female teams (p<0.01) [167], which can be greater 48 hours post-match [2] and maintained 72 hours post-competition [2,52].…”

“…The most frequently reported biomarkers of the inflammatory response include blood leukocyte count, IL-6 and CRP [148]. IL-6 increases immediately after a soccer match, but drops rapidly to pre-match levels and returns to baseline 24 hours postmatch [2,60,176], whereas neutrophil counts can remain significantly elevated 48 hours post-match [50] and CRP peak may occur between 24-48 hours post-exercise [55,58]. As a result, it can be confirmed that a single soccer game induces marked but transient inflammatory responses and clearly indicates the need of enough recovery for elite soccer players after a match [2].…”

Muscle Damage Indicators after Land and Aquatic Plyometric Training Programmes

“…In their study, SU levels had been measured 24 hours after the training session and showed no particular activity, except for the EGL after the first plyometric training session. Souglis et al (2015) reported significant changes in SU levels after different sport matches, but the results decreased to baseline levels within 13 hours after the matches. It is therefore possible that, due to a higher level of physical conditioning and recovery, the SU was influenced by a better metabolic regulation and resulted in no statistical differences after 24 hours, although somewhat higher concentrations were found in each experimental group.…”