title: 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.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport , University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: b School of Sport , Leeds Beckett University, Leeds , UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.affiliation: c Institute of Coaching and Performance , University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carling
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport , University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ademir Felipe Schultz
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Arruda
authors.affiliation: d Desportivo Brasil , Porto Feliz , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro M P
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Spigolon
authors.affiliation: d Desportivo Brasil , Porto Feliz , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Clovis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franciscon
authors.affiliation: e School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities , University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Saldanha
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aoki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D009068:Movement; D010465:Perception; D010807:Physical Endurance; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Football; Immunoglobulin A; cortisol; saliva; testosterone