Playing soccer increases serum concentrations of the biochemical markers of brain damage S-100B and neuron-specific enolase in elite players: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse serum concentrations of two biochemical markers of brain tissue damage, S-100B and NSE (neurone-specific enolase), in male soccer players in connection to the game.


METHODS
Blood samples were taken in players before and after a competitive game and the numbers of headers and of trauma events during soccer play were assessed.


RESULTS
Both S-100B and NSE were significantly raised in serum samples obtained after the game in comparison with the pre-game values (S-100B: 0.118 +/- 0.040 microg L(-1) vs 0.066 +/- 0.025 microg L(-1), p < 0.001; NSE: 10.29 +/- 2.16 microg L(-1) vs 8.57 +/- 2.31 microg L(-1), p < 0.001). Only changes in S-100B concentrations (post-game minus pre-game values) were statistically significantly correlated to the number of headers (r = 0.428, p = 0.02) and to the number of other trauma events (r = 0.453, p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Playing competitive elite soccer was found to cause increase in serum concentrations of S-100B and NSE. Increases in S-100B were significantly correlated to the number of headers, and heading may accordingly have contributed to these increases.
Stålnacke
Britt-Marie
BM
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Medicine), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Tegner
Yelverton
Y
Sojka
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000097:blood; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries
D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase