Effect of a congested match schedule on immune-endocrine responses,technical performance and session-RPE in elite youth soccer players |
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| Authors: | Alexandre Moreira Paul Bradley Christopher Carling Ademir Felipe Schultz Arruda Leandro M P Spigolon Clovis Franciscon |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazilalemoreira@usp.br;3. School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK;4. Institute of Coaching and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK;5. Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil;6. Desportivo Brasil, Porto Feliz, S?o Paulo, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effects of a congested match schedule (7 matches played in 7 days) on steroid hormone concentrations, mucosal immunity, session rating of perceived exertion (S-RPE) and technical performance in 16 elite youth soccer players (14.8 ± 0.4 years; 170.6 ± 9.4 cm; 64.9 ± 7 kg). No change was observed for salivary cortisol concentration across match time points (P = 0.33; effect size ES] = 0.13–0.48). In contrast, there was a decrease in salivary testosterone and salivary IgA (SIgA) concentrations from the 1st compared with the last time point (P = 0.01 and 0.001, ES = 0.42 and 0.67, respectively). The SIgA concentration varied across time points (P < 0.001) with the highest value observed at the 3rd time point (rest day) (3rd vs all time point; ES = 0.47–0.73). No changes were observed for S-RPE across time points (P > 0.05). A higher number of tackles and interceptions were observed during the 4th match vs 1st and 7th matches (P < 0.001; ES = 2.25 and 1.90, respectively). The present data demonstrate that accumulated fatigue related to participation in a congested match schedule might induce a decrease in testosterone concentration in youth players and negatively affect their mucosal immunity and capacity to perform certain technical actions. |
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| Keywords: | Football testosterone cortisol saliva Immunoglobulin A |
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