Author(s): SOUGLIS, A.2,3, KALIARNTAS, K.3, ANDRONIKOS, G.1, BOURDAS, D.I.1, APOSTOLIDIS, A.1, MELETAKOS, P.1, NOUTSOS, K.4, TRAVLOS, A.K., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, Country: GREECE, Abstract-ID: 2485

INTRODUCTION:
Soccer match-play exert a physical strain on elite soccer players which can have a prolonged negative effect on performance, especially in congested match play periods (1,2). The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of three consecutive soccer matches over a 9-day period on biomarkers and physical fitness of elite Greek soccer players.
METHODS:
Forty elite soccer players allocated into an experimental (EG) and a control group (CG) one week after the end of the competitive season: EG (n=20, age 23.8±0.7 yrs, Training Experience 15.0±0.7 yrs, Body Mass 76.3±0.9 kg, Height 179.5±0.9 cm), CG (n=20, age 24.0±0.4 yrs, Training Experience 15.1±0.4 yrs, Body Mass 78.8±1.1 kg, Height 181.5±1.2 cm). The EG played 3 consecutive soccer games 3-days apart while following their usual training regime and the CG abstained from any training and competition activities. The following variables were measured before, immediately after, 24h, 48h, and 72h post-matches: creatine kinase (CK), lactate heydrogenase (LDH), interleukine-6, (IL-6), interleukine-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). Also, 30-meter sprinting time, countermovement jump (CMJ) and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were measured at the same time points. Factorial ANOVA models were used in the analysis and a statistical level of p<0.05 was accepted.
RESULTS:
No between group differenceS observed on baseline characteristics. Performance in 30-m sprint and CMJ significantly reduced in the EG immediately after the games and retuned to almost baseline levels at 72h post-game. However, in games 2 and 3 the reduction was significantly larger, and the recovery was significantly slower indicating a sustained effect after each game. The inflammation biomarkers IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α indicated a significant increase post-matches which returned to baseline levels 24h post-matches, with a significantly larger increase and a sustained effect in games 2 and 3. As expected, the muscle damage biomarkers CK and LDH significantly increased and peaked 24h post-matches and remained significantly elevated at 72h, also indicating a significantly larger response in matches 2 and 3. These results are in line with the RPE measures showing a significant increase post-matches, which gradually returned to baseline levels at 72h but remaining significantly different at 48h between matches showing an additive fatigue effect over time during congested match plays.
CONCLUSION:
This is one of few studies that used inflammation and muscle damage biomarkers combined with fitness parameters during a congested match play period. These findings clearly show the sustained loading effects that consecutive match play have on elite soccer players and underline the implications on soccer performance and increased injury risk.
1. Perez-Castillo et al. 2023. Frontiers in Physiology. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1167449
2. Saidi et al. 2024. Nature Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81225-0