Decrements in Neuromuscular Performance and Increases in Creatine Kinase Impact Training Outputs in Elite Soccer Players

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between match activity variables, subsequent fatigue and neuromuscular performance capacity in elite soccer players. Subjects (n = 10) were professional soccer players participating in the English Championships. Match activity variables and markers of fatigue status were measured before and following two matches. Creatine kinase (CK) and muscle soreness were measured at baseline, immediately following, as well as 40 and 64 h post-match. Countermovement jump performance and perceived ratings of wellness were measured at baseline, then 40 and 64 h post-match. Relationships were shown between CK and the total number of accelerations and decelerations immediately (r = 0.63; large), 40 h (r = 0.45; moderate) and 64 h post-match (r = 0.35; moderate) (p < 0.05). Relationships between CK and total sprint distance (r = 0.39; moderate) and the number of sprints (r = 0.35; moderate) 40 h post-match (p < 0.05) were observed. Furthermore, relationships were shown between the perceived rating of wellness and number of accelerations 40 (r = 0.52; large) and 64 h (r = 0.40; moderate) post-match, sprint distance 40 h post-match (r = 0.40; moderate) and the total number of sprints 40 h post-match (r = 0.51; large) (p < 0.05). The quantification of match activity variables, particularly the total number of accelerations and decelerations and the number of sprints, provides insights into the fatigue status in elite soccer players 40 and 64 h post-match.

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The simple, conventional markers of fatigue - variations in neuromuscular performance, creatine kinase and hydration status in elite soccer players over a season.

Journal of Elite Sport Performance ◽

10.54080/wjam8686 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Catherine E. Beattie ◽

◽

Samuel A Pullinger ◽

Cristian Savoia ◽

Ben J. Edwards ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Creatine Kinase ◽

Urine Osmolality ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Hydration Status ◽

Jump Performance ◽

Time Points ◽

Neuromuscular Performance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Jump Test ◽

Counter Movement Jump

Background and Purpose: Fixture congestion, game-intensities and limited recovery negatively influence physical/physiological responses during a competitive soccer season. Therefore, the aim of the investigation was to examine weekly alterations in neuromuscular performance markers, creatine kinase and hydration in elite soccer players throughout a season. Study Design: Longitudinal Observational Study. Methods: Sixteen male professional soccer players competing in the English Football League Championship were assessed over the course of a season. All players provided a urine sample, a blood sample to assess creatine-kinase concentration and performed a countermovement jump test at the start of the season, in-season, pre-and post-match over 38 weeks. Results: Jump height was the most common marker of performance to be significantly reduced in-season compared to baseline (-5.4 to -11.3%, P<0.05) with 45.2% of the time-points affected. Measures of FT:CT (-7.5 to -12.4%) and AP (-9.4 to -11.5%), also showed significant deteriorations throughout the season compared to baseline (P<0.05) at several time-points. Max force (MF) significantly increased in-season (+5.1 to 7.0%) in 20% of the observed time-points compared to baseline. CK concentration significantly increased during 19% of the time-points (P<0.05; 62 to 159%). Urine osmolality demonstrated significant differences in season compared to baseline, but none to levels of dehydration. Conclusion: Monitoring elite soccer players over the course of a competitive season shows alterations in neuromuscular performance and hydration status. These data suggest that assessing counter-movement jump performance may be a useful marker for monitoring responses to training/competition, while creatine-kinase and hydration status may be limited.

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Factors Influencing Creatine Kinase Response in Youth National Team Soccer Players

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/1941738121999387 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194173812199938

Author(s):

Gabor Schuth ◽

Gyorgy Szigeti ◽

Gergely Dobreff ◽

Peter Revisnyei ◽

Alija Pasic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Creatine Kinase ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Internal Load ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

National Team ◽

Weekly Training ◽

The Relationship

Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship between external training load and creatine kinase (CK) response after soccer matches in adults. This study aimed to build training- and match-specific CK prediction models for elite youth national team soccer players. Hypothesis: Training and match load will have different effects on the CK response of elite youth soccer players, and there will be position-specific differences in the most influential external and internal load parameters on the CK response. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Forty-one U16-U17 youth national team soccer players were measured over an 18-month period. Training and match load were monitored with global positioning system devices. Individual CK values were measured from whole blood every morning in training camps. The dataset consisted of 1563 data points. Clustered prediction models were used to examine the relationship between external/internal load and consecutive CK changes. Clusters were built based on the playing position and activity type. The performance of the linear regression models was described by the R2 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE, U/L for CK values). Results: The prediction models fitted similarly during games and training sessions ( R2 = 0.38-0.88 vs 0.6-0.77), but there were large differences based on playing positions. In contrast, the accuracy of the models was better during training sessions (RMSE = 81-135 vs 79-209 U/L). Position-specific differences were also found in the external and internal load parameters, which best explained the CK changes. Conclusion: The relationship between external/internal load parameters and CK changes are position specific and might depend on the type of session (training or match). Morning CK values also contributed to the next day’s CK values. Clinical Relevance: The relationship between position-specific external/internal load and CK changes can be used to individualize postmatch recovery strategies and weekly training periodization with a view to optimize match performance.

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Physical fitness performance, playing position and competitive level attained by elite junior soccer players

Kinesiology ◽

10.26582/k.53.1.6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 56-64

Author(s):

Asier Los Arcos ◽

Asier Gonzalez-Artetxe

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Countermovement Jump ◽

Professional Career ◽

Neuromuscular Performance ◽

Maximal Aerobic Speed ◽

Physical Tests ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study was to look into the alleged impact of the physical fitness performance of elite junior soccer players on the professional career according to playing position. The physical tests (sprint test, countermovement jump [CMJ], and maximal aerobic speed [MAS]) performed by 165 players enrolled in the junior team of a Spanish 1st Division club (1998-2010) were evaluated. Players were classified as those who were promoted to the reserve team (Reserve Team) and those who were not (non-Reserve Team), and as those who were promoted to the Spanish 1st/2nd Divisions (PFL) and those who were not (NPFL) until the 2020-2021 season. Overall, no significant differences (p>.05) were found between the Reserve Team and non-Reserve Team or between the PFL and NPFL players in neuromuscular performance. Aerobic fitness was greater (p<.05; ES = .79 ± .60 , moderate; mean difference = 3.0%) for the Reserve Team lateral midﬁelders in comparison to that for the non-Reserve Team. The results suggest that the impact of physical fitness on the promotion of elite junior soccer players is limited.

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Effects of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Supplementation on Creatine Kinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Oxidative Stress Markers, and Aerobic Capacity in Semi-Professional Soccer Players

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2017.00196 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carlos V. da Silva Barbosa ◽

Alexandre S. Silva ◽

Caio V. C. de Oliveira ◽

Nayara M. L. Massa ◽

Yasmim R. F. de Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Creatine Kinase ◽

Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Sesamum Indicum ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Oxidative Stress Markers ◽

Stress Markers ◽

Professional Soccer

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Blood Biomarkers of Recovery Efficiency in Soccer Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16183279 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (18) ◽

pp. 3279 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anna Nowakowska ◽

Dorota Kostrzewa-Nowak ◽

Rafał Buryta ◽

Robert Nowak

Keyword(s):

Alkaline Phosphatase ◽

Creatine Kinase ◽

Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽

Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Control Group ◽

Iron Level ◽

Recovery Efficiency ◽

Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity ◽

Over Time

Physical exercise strongly affects human metabolism and causes biochemical changes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between routine plasma biomarker levels and recovery efficiency in soccer players during an entire competitive match season. The players participating in the study were divided into a midfielder/defender group (seven midfielders and seven defenders) and a goalie/substitute group (six persons—goalkeepers and players with a short cumulative match-time). The fasting capillary blood samples were taken 17–24 h after each competitive match. The blood plasma was used to determine the creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, iron and magnesium levels of the athletes. The levels of (AST) (aspartate aminotransferase), (ALT) (alanine aminotransferase) and (Cr) creatinine were higher in the midfielder/defender group than in the control group, but only AST and Cr significantly varied over time (AST decreased, and Cr increased with time). The (LDH) (lactate dehydrogenase) activity and urea level were significantly lower in the midfielder/defender group than in the goalie/substitute group, and it significantly varied over time (LDH decreased, and urea increased with time). No differences in the (CK) creatine kinase and (ALP) alkaline phosphatase activities between the groups was found, although CK increased significantly with time in the midfielder/defender group (particularly midfielders in the spring round). In midfielders, the AST activity and the iron level were significantly lower in the spring than in the autumn round. On the contrary, ALT, CK, urea and magnesium levels were significantly higher in the spring than in autumn round. A long-term measurement of biochemical parameters in elite soccer players indicated that AST, CK, LDH and creatinine levels, when analyzed together, could constitute a useful set of markers for monitoring recovery periods.

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The relationship between physical match performance and 48-h post-game creatine kinase concentrations in English Premier League soccer players

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954116676111 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 846-852 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A Scott ◽

JJ Malone ◽

R Morgans ◽

D Burgess ◽

W Gregson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Creatine Kinase ◽

Tracking System ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Large Individual ◽

Premier League ◽

Coaching Process ◽

The Relationship ◽

English Premier League ◽

Physical Match

The aim of the investigation was to determine the relationship between blood creatine kinase and physical match performance in 15 elite male soccer players competing in the English Premier League. Blood samples were collected 48 h following a competitive match and analysed for creatine kinase concentration immediately after collection. Physical match performance data were collected using a computerised tracking system (Prozone®) from >6 matches for each player. Mean ± S.D creatine kinase concentration 48 h post-match was 520 ± 224 µ.mol.l−1. Large individual variation in creatine kinase response at this time point was observed (184 µ.mol.l−1 to 1573 µ.mol.l−1). No significant correlation coefficients were observed between the chosen indicators of physical match performance and creatine kinase concentration 48 h post-match. These data suggest that creatine kinase concentrations are elevated as a consequence of playing a soccer match. Creatine kinase may also be of limited value in supporting important decisions in the coaching process.

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