Post-Match Changes in Muscle Damage Markers among U-21 Soccer Players

Nebojsa Trajkovic,Goran Sporis,Dejan Madic,Marko Gusic,Tomislav Vlahovic

doi:10.26773/mjssm.180908

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of official soccer matches on selected markers of muscle damage in U-21 soccer players. A group of 19 trained, healthy male soccer players from the junior category took part in this study. Blood samples were assessed pre-match and immediately after a match in response to a competitive (2×45 min) soccer match. Analysis was performed for muscle damage and inflammatory markers. Significant differences between two measures (before and after soccer match) exist in Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Myoglobin. Plasma K+ significantly decreased after the match (p<0.05), whereas plasma Na+ decreased slightly. This study showed that most selected markers of muscle damage were influenced by a soccer match. However, results remain inconsistent because of the influence of the type, duration, and intensity of exercise. Moreover, some markers show great variability among individuals.

Highlights

Regular physical activity can have significant health benefits
This study aimed to investigate the effect of official soccer matches on selected markers of muscle damage in U-21 soccer players
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of selected markers to reflect changes in fatigue in male U-21 players after an official soccer match

Summary

Introduction

Regular physical activity can have significant health benefits. Some activities might not be healthy, due to dehydration, substrate depletion, muscle damage, inflammation, and the increased production of free radicals. Free radicals, which are produced as a result of physical exercise (Cooper, Vollaard, Choueiri, & Wilson, 2002), are involved in the process of muscle fatigue, many diseases, and aging (Finaud, Lac, & Filaire, 2006). There is no definitive conclusion on fatigue, it is assumed that two main origins are involved in this process. The second is the peripheral fatigue, in which the muscle’s homeostasis has been perturbed, either through tissue damage, or some other way, to the point that the muscle is incapable of responding as effectively as it does when rested (MacIntosh & Rassier, 2002)

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Methods

Conclusion