Author(s): RUTKOVSKA, L., JUSTAMENTE, I., ZOLOVS, M., REIHMANE, D., Institution: RĪGA STRADIŅŠ UNIVERSITY, Country: LATVIA, Abstract-ID: 1944

INTRODUCTION:
Adolescence is a critical period for physiological adaptation to physical training;
therefore, high-frequency training requires athlete monitoring to optimize performance. The
relationship between systematic inflammatory markers, thyroid hormones and anaerobic
performance in young athletes remains a subject of investigation.
METHODS:
The study included youth athletes from Latvia (n=189; 122 males and 67 females)
(mean age of 14.93 ± 1.72 years engaged in sports training ≥4 times per week and taking part in
competitions. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to measure T3, T4, CRP, IL-6 and
TNF-α. Anaerobic performance was assessed using the Wingate test and described by peak
power (W/kg), fatigue index (w/s), and anaerobic capacity (w/kg). Principal Component Analysis
(PCA) with varimax rotation was performed to create two score components for predictive
modelling. Linear regression analysis was conducted using the PCA score components as
independent variables, with age and sex entered into the model both as mediators and as
covariates.
RESULTS:
PCA identified two components: (1) an inflammatory component (CRP, Il-6 and TNF-α)
and (2) a thyroid hormone component (T3, T4). Linear regression analysis did not show
significant association between either component and Wingate power peak, fatigue index, or
anaerobic capacity (p > 0,05), as the predictive models explained only 30.4% of the variance for
fatigue index (R2 = 0.304), 11,8% for peak power (R2 = 0.118), and 10.3% for anaerobic capacity
(R2 = 0.103). Furthermore, gender and age were significant predictors for all measured
anaerobic performance parameters (p < 0.05). Gender emerged as a stronger predictor for all
performed measurements (p<0.001): β for peak power (W/kg) 0.625, β for fatigue index (w/s)
was 0.619, β for anaerobic capacity (w/kg) was 0.641. No significant interaction between
biomarker components and age or gender were observed.
CONCLUSION:
Hormonal and inflammatory blood markers were not significant predictors of
anaerobic performance measured by Wingate test in Latvian youth athletes. Instead, anaerobic
performance outcomes were significantly associated with age and sex. These findings suggest
that demographic factors are superior to inflammatory markers and thyroid hormones in
predicting anaerobic performance in youth athletes.
Funding: This study is conducted as a part of National Research Programme “Sport” (IMR
Sports LV; No. VPP-IZM-Sports-2023/1-0001)