Serum concentrations of two biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase are increased in elite female soccer players after a competitive game.
BACKGROUND
It is a matter of debate whether or not ordinary heading of the ball in soccer causes injury to brain tissue.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse concentrations of the biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase (NSE) in serum of female elite soccer players in association with a competitive game.


METHODS
Venous blood samples were obtained from 44 female soccer players before and after a competitive game for analysis. The number of headers and trauma events (falls, collisions, etc) was assessed from videotape recordings for each player.


RESULTS
Concentrations of both brain damage markers were increased after the game (S-100B, 0.18 (0.11) v 0.11 (0.05) microg/l (p = 0.000); NSE, 10.14 (1.74) v 9.05 (1.59) microg/l (p = 0.001)). There was a significant correlation between changes in S-100B concentrations and both the number of headers (r = 0.430, p = 0.004) and the number of other trauma events (r = 0.517, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The concentrations of both S-100B and NSE were increased by game associated activities and events. The increases in S-100B concentration were significantly related to the number of headers and other trauma events, which indicates that both these factors may have contributed to these increases.
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå 901 85, Sweden. brittmarie.stalnacke@rehabmed.umu.se
B-M
BM
Stålnacke
A
A
Ohlsson
Y
Y
Tegner
P
P
Sojka
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase