Changes in the lipid profile of elite basketball and soccer players after a match

Effect of a Shock Micro-Cycle on Biochemical Markers in University Soccer Players

This study aimed to examine various biochemical biomarkers changes during a shock micro-cycle in soccer players from a university team. The study had 22 players (age: 22 ± 3 years; body mass: 68.6 ± 7.1 kg; height: 1.73 ± 0.07 m). The study measured total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol linked to high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), arterial index (AI), creatine kinase (CK), glutamate-oxalacetate-transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT), creatinine (Cr), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), cytokines IL6 and TNFα, total antioxidant capacity (Cap antiox tot), hemolysis percentage and glomerular filtration rate (GFR); measurements were conducted during a shock micro-cycle. The lipid profile variables had no statistical significance when compared on day 1 with day 14. Except for TNFα, the other biomarkers compared with day one had progressive increments until day seven, with a subsequent reduction on day 14; however, none of the biomarkers returned to baseline values despite this decrease. The data shown herein suggest the need to research these biomarkers in distinct types of mesocycles, exercise, intensity, load, and duration to diminish fatigue and improve athlete performance.

Effects of regular exercise on inflammatory biomarkers and lipid parameters in soccer players

Since chronic dyslipidemia and inflammation play a major role in the etiopathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaque, we investigated the effects of a 7-week exercise on the serum lipid profile, plasma atherogenic index (PAI), and inflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in male soccer players. Methods: The participants in this study were 22 healthy male soccer players aged 19-25 years. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a, MCP-1, and lipid profile were recorded before and after the program. PAI was calculated as log (TG/HDL-C), where TG is triglyceride and HDL-C is high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Results: There were significant decreases in post-exercise IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 (for all, p< .05). Compared to the pretest values, there were significant decreases in posttest total cholesterol (TC), TGs, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), non- high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and PAI (for all, p< .05). In contrast, HDL-C values increased after exercise (p< .001). After exercise training TC, TGs, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and PAI decreased and HDL-C increased, indicating improvement in parameters of dyslipidemia. The decreases in IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 suggest a decrease in systemic inflammation.

Changes in γH2AX and H4K16ac levels are involved in the biochemical response to a competitive soccer match in adolescent players

The aim of this study was to examine novel putative markers of the response to the competitive soccer match in adolescent players, such as changes in global levels of γH2AX and H4K16ac in the chromatin of peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBCs) and a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)-based biochemical fingerprint of serum. These characteristics were examined with reference to the physiological and metabolic aspects of this response. Immediately post-match we noticed: (1) a systemic inflammatory response, manifesting as peaks in leukocyte count and changes in concentrations of IL-6, TNFα, and cortisol; (2) a peak in plasma lactate; (3) onset of oxidative stress, manifesting as a decline in GSH/GSSG; (4) onset of muscle injury, reflected in an increase in CK activity. Twenty-four hours post-match the decrease in GSH/GSSG was accompanied by accumulation of MDA and 8-OHdG, macromolecule oxidation end-products, and an increase in CK activity. No changes in SOD1 or GPX1 levels were found. Repeated measures correlation revealed several associations between the investigated biomarkers. The FTIR analysis revealed that the match had the greatest impact on serum lipid profile immediately post-game. In turn, increases in γH2AX and H4K16ac levels at 24 h post-match indicated activation of a DNA repair pathway.

A career in sport does not eliminate risk of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the cardiovascular health of field-based athletes

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in current field-based athletes.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis.

METHODS

This review was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA and pre-registered with PROSPERO. Articles were retrieved via online database search engines, with no date or language restriction. Studies investigating current field-based athletes (>18years) for CVD risk factors according to the European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association were screened. Full texts were screened using Covidence and Cochrane criteria. Eligible articles were critically appraised using the AXIS tool. Individual study estimates were assessed by random-effect meta-analyses to examine the overall effect.

RESULTS

This study was ascribed a 1b evidence level, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. 41 studies were identified, including 5546 athletes from four sports; American football; soccer; rugby and baseball mean ages: 18-28. Despite participation in sport, increased body mass was associated with increased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, and decreased high-density lipoprotein. Linemen had increased prevalence of hypertension compared to non-athletes. Conflicting findings on fasting glucose were prevalent. There were inconsistencies in screening and reporting of CVD risk factors. Sport specific anthropometric demands were associated with elevated prevalence of CVD risk factors, most notably: elevated body mass; dyslipidemia; elevated systolic blood pressure and; glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

There are elevated levels of risk for CVD in some athletes, primarily football players. Lifestyle behaviours associated with elite athleticism, particularly football linemen potentially expose players to greater metabolic and CVD risk, which is not completely offset by sport participation.

Acute and Residual Soccer Match-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Understanding soccer players' match-related fatigue and recovery profiles likely helps with developing conditioning programs that increase team performance and reduce injuries and illnesses. In order to improve match recovery (the return-to-play process and ergogenic interventions) it is also pivotal to determine if match simulation protocols and actual match-play lead to similar responses.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To thoroughly describe the development of fatigue during actual soccer match play and its recovery time course in terms of physiological, neuromuscular, technical, biochemical and perceptual responses, and (2) to determine similarities of recovery responses between actual competition (11 vs. 11) and match simulations.

METHODS

A first screening phase consisted of a systematic search on PubMed (MEDLINE) and SportDiscus databases until March 2016. Inclusion criteria were: longitudinal study with soccer players; match or validated protocol; duration > 45 min; and published in English.

RESULTS

A total of 77 eligible studies (n = 1105) were used to compute 1196 effect sizes (ES). Half-time assessments revealed small to large alterations in immunological parameters (e.g. leukocytes, ES = 1.9), a moderate decrement in insulin concentration (ES = - 0.9) and a small to moderate impairment in lower-limb muscle function (ES = - 0.5 to - 0.7) and physical performance measures (e.g. linear sprint, ES = - 0.3 to - 1.0). All the systematically analyzed fatigue-related markers were substantially altered at post-match. Hamstrings force production capacity (ES = - 0.7), physical performance (2-4%, ES = 0.3-0.5), creatine kinase (CK, ES = 0.4), well-being (ES = 0.2-0.4) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS, ES = 0.6-1.3) remained substantially impaired at G + 72 h. Compared to simulation protocols, 11 vs. 11 match format (CK, ES = 1.8) induced a greater magnitude of change in muscle damage (i.e. CK, ES = 1.8 vs. 0.7), inflammatory (IL-6, ES = 2.6 vs. 1.1) and immunological markers and DOMS (ES = 1.5 vs. 0.7) than simulation protocols at post-assessments. Neuromuscular performances at post-match did not differ between protocols.

CONCLUSION

While some parameters are fully recovered (e.g. hormonal and technical), our systematic review shows that a period of 72 h post-match play is not long enough to completely restore homeostatic balance (e.g. muscle damage, physical and well-being status). The extent of the recovery period post-soccer game cannot consist of a 'one size fits all approach'. Additionally, the 'real match' (11 vs. 11 format) likely induces greater magnitudes of perceptual (DOMS) and biochemical alterations (e.g. muscle damage), while neuromuscular alterations were essentially similar. Overall, coaches must adjust the structure and content of the training sessions during the 72-h post-match intervention to effectively manage the training load within this time-frame.

Monitoring training load and fatigue in soccer players with physiological markers

The quantification and monitoring of training load (TL) has been the topic of many scientific works in the last fifteen years. TL monitoring helps coaches to individually prescribe, follow-up, analyse, adjust and programme training sessions. In particular, the aim of the present review was to provide a critical literature report regarding different physiological markers of TL monitoring, particularly in soccer, as the load is specific to individual sports. Therefore, the interests and limitations of heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and biochemical variables (blood, urinary and hormonal variations) were analysed, with a special focus on daily measures (before, during and after training) and monitoring throughout a whole season. It appears that the most relevant markers were the resting HR before training, HR reserve during training, HRV during rest days, blood lactate, and blood and salivary immunological status in follow-ups throughout the season. Urinary markers indicative of the players' hydration status also deserve attention. However, these objective markers should be considered with a subjective marker of TL such as the rating of perceived exertion to give a more precise quantification of TL and its perception. Future research could be directed towards urinary marker analysis and the analysis of specific markers of TL, which could be related to injury occurrence and to performance during competition.