Effects of match play and training on circulating S100B concentration in professional rugby players

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Examine the effects of match play and a season of training on serum S100B concentration in male professional rugby players. To assess the influence of contact play, values were compared with age- and fitness-matched athletes not involved in a contact sport.

Methods: Over a 2-year period, blood samples were collected from 38 players in pre-season, end of season, and post-matches (within 2 h). A control group of rowers (n = 15) was assessed pre- and post-training.

Results: S100B concentration changed significantly over a season (χ2(2) = 17.636, p < 0.0005); post-match values were significantly increased from baseline (early season: Z = −3.670, p < 0.0005; late season: Z = −3.408, p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in S100B concentrations between pre-seasons (Z = −1.601, p = 0.109), or between end of season and subsequent pre-season (Z = −0.330, p = 0.741). While comparable at baseline, samples taken from rugby players post-match were significantly increased compared with samples taken from rowers post-exercise (U = 47.0, p < 0.0005).

Conclusion: Exercise has a significant effect on circulating S100B in elite male athletes, with levels following rugby matches significantly higher than following non-contact sport. This elevation in S100B is temporary, with a return to baseline values after periods without play.

KEYWORDS:

• Concussion
• S100B
• brain health
• rugby
• sports related concussion
• blood biomarker

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr John Ryan, Dr Ciaran Cosgrave and Dr James O’Donovan for assisting in collection of blood samples, and the players and staff at Leinster Rugby for their contributions to the study.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no competing interests.