Abstract
Purpose
We examined effects of a three-game, 1-week microcycle (G1, G2, G3) on recovery of performance and inflammatory responses in professional male footballers.
Methods
Players were randomized into an experimental (EXP; N = 20) and a control group (CON; N = 20). Blood was drawn and repeated sprint ability (RSA), muscle soreness and knee range of motion (KJRM) were determined pre- and post-games and during recovery.
Results
High-intensity running during G2 was 7–14 % less compared to G1 and G3. RSA declined in EXP by 2–9 % 3 days post-game with G2 causing the greatest performance impairment. In EXP, game play increased muscle soreness (~sevenfold) compared to CON with G2 inducing the greatest rise, while KJRM was attenuated post-game in EXP compared to CON (5–7 %) and recovered slower post G2 and G3 than G1. CK, CRP, sVCAM-1, sP-Selectin and cortisol peaked 48 h post-games with G2 eliciting the greatest increase. Leukocyte count, testosterone, IL-1β and IL6 responses, although altered 24 h post each game, were comparable among games. Plasma TBARS and protein carbonyls rose by ~50 % post-games with G2 eliciting the greatest increase 48 h of recovery. Reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio declined for 24 h post all games with G2 displaying the slowest recovery. Total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity increased (9–56 %) for 48 h in response to game play.
Conclusion
In summary, post-game performance recovery and inflammatory adaptations in response to a three-game weekly microcycle displayed a different response pattern, with strong indications of a largest physiological stress and fatigue after the middle game that was preceded by only a 3-day recovery.
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Abbreviations
- ANOVA:
-
Analysis of variance
- CAT:
-
Catalase activity
- CK:
-
Creatine kinase
- CON:
-
Control group
- CRP:
-
C-reactive protein
- D1, D2, D3, D4:
-
Day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4
- DL:
-
Dominant leg
- DOMS:
-
Delayed onset of muscle soreness
- EDTA:
-
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
- EXP:
-
Experimental group
- IGF-1:
-
Insuline growth factor
- IL-1β, IL-6:
-
Interleukin
- G1, G2, G3:
-
Game 1, game 2, game 3
- GPS:
-
Global positioning system
- GPX:
-
Glutathione peroxidase activity
- GSH:
-
Reduced glutathinoe
- GSSG:
-
Oxidized glutathione
- HR:
-
Heart rate
- KJRM:
-
Knee range of motion
- NDL:
-
Non-dominant leg
- NEFA:
-
Non-esterified fatty acids
- PC:
-
Protein carbonyls
- RSA:
-
Repeated sprint ability
- sVCAM-1:
-
Soluble cell adhesion molecules
- TAC:
-
Total antioxidant capacity
- TBARS:
-
Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances
- VO2max :
-
Maximal oxygen uptake
- WBC:
-
White blood cell count
- Yo–Yo IR1, IR2:
-
Yo–Yo intermittent recovery test, level 1 and 2
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the players and their coaches for their participation, as well as Dr. Sarah Jackman for technical assistance. The study was supported by departmental funding from the Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece, a donation by the Bodosakis Foundation and the Faroese Research Council.
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Communicated by Fabio Fischetti.
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Mohr, M., Draganidis, D., Chatzinikolaou, A. et al. Muscle damage, inflammatory, immune and performance responses to three football games in 1 week in competitive male players. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 179–193 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3245-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3245-2