Effect of a congested match schedule on immune-endocrine responses, technical performance and session-RPE in elite youth soccer players

ABSTRACT

This 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.

KEYWORDS:

• Football
• testosterone
• cortisol
• saliva
• Immunoglobulin A

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; Brazil, FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo À Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; São Paulo Research Foundation for funding this research; process, 2013/24193-2). Special thanks to the assessed team training centre staff for their assistance and all players for their great level of commitment to the experimental procedures implemented in this investigation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the FAPESP [2013/24193-2].