Muscle Damage, Endocrine, and Immune Marker Response to a Soccer Match
Abstract
This study represents the first time that muscle damage, endocrine, and immune markers have been measured, together with activity profile, during a competitive soccer match. Seven semiprofessional soccer players participated in a competitive league match. Blood and saliva samples were obtained 1 hour before kick off and immediately postmatch. Global positioning system equipment was used to measure heart rate and activity profile data throughout the match. Percentage increase in creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin (MYO) concentrations was correlated with the number of sprints performed during the match (r = 0.88, p = 0.019; r = 0.75, p = 0.047, respectively). Creatine kinase increased by 84% (p = 0.17) from prematch to postmatch, whereas MYO increased by 238% (p = 0.05). Players performed 39 ± 18 sprints during the course of the match. Cortisol increased by 78% (p = 0.103), whereas testosterone increased significantly by 44% (p = 0.004). No differences were seen from prematch to postmatch in the testosterone to cortisol ratio, immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, or IgG. Sprinting is correlated with changes in CK and MYO and may therefore be associated with muscle damage in semiprofessional soccer players.
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Collectively, these studies support the notion that repetitive, high-intensity activity could be associated with meaningful changes in CK concentrations post 24 hours.
“Collectively, these studies [49–51], support the notion that the repetitive, high-intensity activity could be associated with meaningful changes in CK concentrations post 24 hours.”
From Creatine kinase and neuromuscular fatigue responses following differing spells of simulated cricket fast bowling (2025) · cites this paper as [51]
Thorpe and Sunderland identified strong relationships with high-intensity running parameters and CK in soccer.
“In addition Thorpe and Sunderland [51] identified strong relationships with high-intensity running parameters and CK in soccer.”
From Creatine kinase and neuromuscular fatigue responses following differing spells of simulated cricket fast bowling (2025) · cites this paper as [51]
Cites
Time-course of changes in inflammatory and performance responses following a soccer game
Ispirlidis, I., Fatouros, I. G., Jamurtas, A. Z., Nikolaidis, M. G., Michailidis, I., Douroudos, I., Margonis, K., Chatzinikolaou, A., Kalistratos, E., Katrabasas, I., et al. (2008) · Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine · doi:10.1097/jsm.0b013e3181818e0b · Cited by 467 · see citing works
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Cortisol and testosterone dynamics following exhaustive endurance exercise
Anderson, T., Lane, A. R., & Hackney, A. C. (2016) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-016-3406-y · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Bray, J. W., Towlson, C., Hayes, S. C., & Fogarty, M. (2025) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0317692 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Collectively, these studies [49–51], support the notion that the repetitive, high-intensity activity could be associated with meaningful changes in CK concentrations post 24 hours.”
- Authors
- Thorpe, R., & Sunderland, C.
- Affiliations
- Manchester United PLC (GB)
- Nottingham Trent University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Sunderland, Caroline
- Venue
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
- Published
- 2012-10
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 2783-2790
- ISSN
- 1064-8011 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1972756547
- Cited by
- 158
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 3.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports injuries and prevention
- Keywords
- muscle damage, football match, creatine kinase, myoglobin, cortisol, testosterone, testosterone/cortisol ratio, immunoglobulins, sprinting, heart rate, activity profiles, endocrine response, immune response
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Creatine Kinase, Heart Rate, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin G, Immunoglobulin M, Male, Myoglobin, Running, Saliva, Soccer, Testosterone, Biomarkers, Muscle, Skeletal, Geographic Information Systems, Young Adult
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