title: Muscle damage, inflammatory, immune and performance responses to three football games in 1 week in competitive male players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Natural and Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Jónas Broncksgøta 25, 3rd floor, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. magnim@setur.fo.|Center for Health and Human Performance, Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. magnim@setur.fo.
authors.forename: Magni
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohr
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Draganidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatzinikolaou
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Humanities of Melilla, Department of Physical and Sport Education, University of Granada, Melilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barbero-Álvarez
authors.affiliation: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.|Football Fitness Training and Biomechanics Laboratory, Technical Department of Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Coverciano, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Douroudos
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avloniti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papassotiriou
authors.affiliation: Institute Research and Technology-Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Flouris
authors.affiliation: Institute Research and Technology-Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece.|School of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Thessaly, 42100, Trikala, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Jamurtas
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section of Human Physiology, Copenhagen Centre for Team Sport and Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krustrup
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece. fatouros@otenet.gr.
authors.forename: Ioannis G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Fatouros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D063806:Myalgia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants
keywords: Fatigue; Physical preparation; Repeated sprint ability; Soccer; Team sports