COMPARISON OF INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES TO

A SOCCER MATCH BETWEEN ELITE MALE AND FEMALE

PLAYERS
ATHANASIOS G. SOUGLIS,1 ANGELIKI PAPAPANAGIOTOU,2 GREGORY C. BOGDANIS,1
ANTONIS K. TRAVLOS,3 NIKOLAOS G. APOSTOLIDIS,1 AND NIKOLAOS D. GELADAS1
1

School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 2Department of Biological Chemistry,
Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece; and 3Department of Sport Organization and Management, University of
Peloponnese, Peloponnese, Greece
ABSTRACT

Souglis, AG, Papapanagiotou, A, Bogdanis, GC, Travlos, AK,

Apostolidis, NG, and Geladas, ND. Comparison of inflammatory responses to a soccer match between elite male and
female players. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 12271233,
2015The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory
responses between male and female soccer players for
a period of 48 hours after an official match. Blood samples
were taken from 83 subjects (22 elite male and 21 elite
female soccer players and 20 male and 20 female inactive
individuals) in the morning of the game day, immediately after
the soccer game and 24 and 48 hours after the match. Average relative exercise intensity during the match was similar in
male and female players, as indicated by mean heart rate that
was 86.9 6 4.3 and 85.6 6 2.3% of maximal heart rate
(p = 0.23), respectively. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis
factor alpha (TNF-a) increased 2- to 4-fold above resting
values, peaking immediately after the match. C-reactive
protein (CRP) and creatine kinase peaked 24 hours after
the match. Interleukin 6, CRP, and creatine kinase responses were similar in male and female players, but the
peak in TNF-a was 18% higher in male players. Interleukin
6, TNF-a, and CRP at rest were lower in male and female
players compared with the control subjects, suggesting
a protective effect of regular exercise training regarding
the inflammatory profile. The results of this study show that
a soccer match induces significant inflammatory responses
in both male and female players, with only TNF-a peak values
being lower in females. Because of the effects of inflammatory responses on performance and health of the players, it is
suggested that coaches and trainers should adjust exercise

Address correspondence to Nikolaos G. Apostolidis, napost@phed.uoa.gr.

29(5)/12271233
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
2015 National Strength and Conditioning Association

training programs after a match to promote recovery and

protect the athletes health.

KEY WORDS interleukin 6, TNF-a, CRP, gender

INTRODUCTION

occer is a metabolically demanding sport involving

different types of high-intensity actions, interspersed with lower intensity activities and passive
recovery (3). During a soccer game at elite level,
players cover a total distance of 912 km, including 220
high-intensity efforts, whereas the activity type changes
every 46 seconds and heart rate (HR) averages 85% of
maximal values (3). Because of this high physiological load,
an activation of the immune system is expected, but only
a limited number of studies examined the immune responses
after a soccer match, using measurements mainly in saliva
(23,37) and less frequently in blood (2,7,20). During intense
exercise, skeletal muscle is the primary contributor to circulating cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the blood,
whereas IL-6 concentration is influenced by the intensity
and duration of exercise (12,36). Tumor necrosis factor alpha
(NF-a) is mainly produced by macrophages infiltrated along
with other inflammatory cells into the injured muscle which,
in turn, contributes to further TNF-a increase (32,33),
whereas C-reactive protein (CRP) is secreted by the liver cells
and is mainly regulated by IL-6 and TNF-a (30).
In recent years, womens soccer has become very popular
and an increasing level of participation is observed both in
recreational and professional teams. However, the physiological responses to a match or training have not been
studied as extensively in females compared with males
(1,19,22,31). From those studies, it is evident that females
cover less total distance as well as less distance at high
intensity (2,31). This is due to the lower maximal oxygen
uptake, muscle power, and sprint ability of females compared with males (18). In addition, females, due to their
different hormonal profile, may have different inflammatory
responses compared with males (25).
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Inflammatory Responses to a Soccer Match

Several blood biomarkers have been used as indicators of
systemic inflammation, including IL-6, TNF-a, and CRP
(27). Cytokine response to soccer has been explored by only
a few studies (2,7) providing contradictory results regarding
postexercise cytokines kinetics and performance (15,34).
Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare
the inflammatory responses of male and female soccer
players for 48 hours after an official game.

METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem

To investigate possible gender differences in inflammatory

responses after a soccer match, 22 elite male and 21 elite
female soccer players completed an official match. Venous
blood samples were taken before and immediately after the
soccer game, whereas the third and fourth samples were
taken 24 and 48 hours after the match. Diet was controlled
during the week before the match, and a pregame meal was
taken 4.5 hours after the match. The control group consisted
of 20 male and 20 female inactive individuals, and blood
samples for the control group were taken at the same times
of the day after similar dietary patterns with the players. The
following dependent variables were measured: average HR
during the game, TNF-a, IL-6, and CRP and compared
across gender, training experience, and sampling time.
Subjects

A total of 83 subjects took part in this study. The 2

experimental groups included 22 male elite soccer players
and 21 female elite soccer players, whereas the 2 control
groups included 20 males and 20 females (Table 1). The playing positions of the male and female players were balanced. Of
the male players, 9 were midfielders, 4 were attackers, 5 were
full-backs, and 4 were central defenders. Of the female players,
9 were midfielders, 4 were attackers, 5 were full-backs, and 4
were central defenders. No subjects were under 18 years of age.
As part of their yearly medical check, they had been
subjected to a routine clinical assessment (electrocardiogram, measurement of arterial pressure, chest x-ray, and
blood tests), which showed no evidence of any pathological
condition. Subjects were informed about the procedures of

the study and the possible risks involved and signed a written
informed consent form before participation. The study was
approved by the local Institutional Review Board, and all
procedures were in accordance with the Helsinki declaration
of 1975, as revised in 1996.
All players trained 57 times per week. Each training
session lasted 7590 minutes and included small-sided
games, speed, power, strength and agility drills, as well as
technical and tactical skill development drills. All players
were playing 1 match every week. The control group
consisted of subjects with an average level of physical
activity, and their selection was done randomly from
a population of the same age as the players. All participants
did not smoke and did not consume any alcohol.
Anthropometric Measurements

Standing height was measured to the nearest 0.5 cm

(Stadiometer; Seca, Birmingham, United Kingdom), and
nude body weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg
(Beam balance 710, Seca, United Kingdom). Body fat was
estimated from 7 skinfold measurements (16). Anthropometric measurements were performed during a preliminary visit.
Preliminary Testing

_ O2max) and maximal HR were

Maximal oxygen uptake (V
measured only for the players, during an incremental treadmill
running test to exhaustion on a Technogym Runrace treadmill
(Technogym, Gambettola, Italy), using a portable gas exchange
analyzer (K4b2; Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Heart rate was measured telemetrically, using an HR monitor (Polar FT1 Model;
Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland). The protocol consisted of
running at 7 km$h21 for 1 minute and 8 km$h21 for 30 seconds. Thereafter, treadmill speed was increased by 0.5 km$h21
every 30 seconds until exhaustion. Individual V_ O2max and
maximal HR were determined as the peak values reached in
a 15- and 5-second period, respectively, during the last part of
_ O2max
the incremental test. Criteria for attainment of V
included 2 of the following: Respiratory Exchange Ratio
(RER) .1.1, maximal HR within 10 b$min21 of the estimated
value based on age, a rating of perceived exertion equal to, or
higher than 18, or a leveling off in oxygen uptake
_ O2 ,2 ml$kg21$min21) with an increase in treadmill speed.
(V
Procedures

TABLE 1. Descriptive characteristics of male and female players and control

subjects (mean 6 SD).*
Height (cm)
Male players (n = 22)
Female players (n = 21)
Male control (n = 20)
Female control (n = 20)

181
168
178
167

6
6
6
6

6
3
6
4

Weight (kg)
76.0
61.0
77.3
60.5

6
6
6
6

_ O2max = maximal oxygen uptake.

*V

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5.8
3.3
6.3
5.8

Body fat (%)

10.6
15.2
14.9
22.8

6
6
6
6

0.6
1.0
1.8
2.1

Age (y)
23.1
22.9
24.2
23.7

6
6
6
6

3.0
2.4
4.3
3.5

The study was carried out during 3 official matches of the

regular season in mens and 3
official matches of the regular
season in women. The environmental conditions and the level
of competition were similar
in all matches (temperature:
17208 C; relative humidity:
4050%). During the week
before matches, participants
were advised to follow

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separated from the packed red

cells, transferred to Eppendorf
TABLE 2. Concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6 in picograms per milliliter) in blood
tubes, and immediately frozen
of male soccer players (n = 22), male control subjects (n = 20), female soccer
and stored at 2708 C.
players (n = 21), and female control subjects (n = 20) before (pregame) and
after the game (postgame) and 24 and 48 hours after the game (mean 6 SD).
The baseline sample was
taken immediately before the
Groups
Pregame
Postgame
24 h after
48 h after
game. The second sample was
Male players
1.11 6 0.38
5.41 6 1.80* 1.39 6 0.37
1.12 6 0.35
taken immediately after the
Female players 1.23 6 0.71
5.09 6 3.07* 1.35 6 0.88
1.18 6 0.68
soccer game, whereas the third
Male control
1.94 6 0.35 2.04 6 0.40 1.99 6 0.41 1.96 6 0.42
and fourth samples were taken
Female control 1.96 6 0.30 1.97 6 0.29 1.97 6 0.30 1.96 6 0.30
24 and 48 hours after the
*p , 0.001 from pregame, from 24 hours and from 48 hours for players.
match. Blood samples for the
p , 0.005 from corresponding time point of players.
control group were taken
at the same times of the
day following similar dietary
patterns with the players.
a balanced diet with daily consumption of 55% carbohyAll the samples were measured in duplicate. The
drates, 30% fat, and 15% protein. On the competition day,
determination of IL-6 and TNF-a were made by
participants followed their typical pregame dietary pattern,
commercial available ELISA kit (R&D Systems Inc.,
that is, meal high in carbohydrate (6065% of total calories),
Minneapolis, MN, USA) according to the manufacturers
consumed 4.5 hours before the start of the game. Players
instructions on a standard ELISA reader. Levels of CRP
were asked to replicate their prerecorded normal diet during
were determined by an immunonephelometric assay on
the 48 hours after the match. Fluids were consumed ad
biochemistry analyzer (COBAS) according to the manulibitum before, during half-time, and at the end of the match.
facturers directions (ROCHE Diagnostics GmbH, ManDue to the fact that games were official, we could not
nheim, Germany). The TNF-a and IL-6 values are
measure the amount of fluids consumed during half-time.
presented in picograms per milliliter and CRP in milligrams
Heart rate was recorded continuously during the game
per liter. The sensitivity for IL-6, TNF-a, and CRP was 0.11
using the Polar Team 2 pro System (Polar Electro Oy,
pg$ml21, 0.5 pg$ml21, and 0.21 mg$ml21, respectively.
Kempele, Finland), and the average HR was calculated for
Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity was determined speceach player.
trophotometrically using a test kit at a stable temperature of
378 C (Hitachi 917 analyzer; Roche Diagnostics GmbH,
Mannheim, Germany).
Blood Sampling and Analyses. Four blood samples were drawn
from the basilic or mesobasilic vein with the subject in a seated
Statistical Analyses
position. Samples (10 ml) were collected in vacutainers without
Statistical analyses were performed with Statistica v. 8
anticoagulant. Tubes were mixed by gentle inversion, kept at
(Statsoft Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA). Three-way analyses of
378 C for 1 hour to allow for clotting and then were centrifuged
variance (GROUP [trained vs. untrained] 3 GENDER
for 15 minutes at 48 C and 2,250g. The plasma samples were
[males vs. females] 3 TIME
[blood sampling time]) with
repeated measures on 1 factor
TABLE 3. Concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- a in picograms per
(blood sampling time) were
milliliter) in blood of male soccer players (n = 22), male control subjects (n = 20),
used to analyze differences in
female soccer players (n = 21), and female control subjects (n = 20) before
IL-6, TNF-a, and CRP con(pregame) and after the game (postgame) and 24 and 48 hours after the game
(mean 6 SD).
centrations, and CK activity.
Tukeys post hoc tests were
Groups
Pregame
Postgame
24 h after
48 h after
performed when a significant
Male players
1.77 6 0.46
5.32 6 1.65*
1.89 6 0.51
1.66 6 0.58
main effect or interaction was
Female players 1.89 6 0.53
4.49 6 1.27* 2.18 6 0.59
1.86 6 0.60
obtained (p # 0.05) to locate
Male control
2.73 6 0.39z 2.75 6 0.38z
2.73 6 0.37z 2.73 6 0.35z
differences between mean valFemale control 2.86 6 0.25z 2.87 6 0.26z
2.86 6 0.26z 2.85 6 0.25z
ues. Effect size for main effects
*p , 0.001 from pregame, from 24 hours and from 48 hours for players.
and interaction was estimated
p , 0.005 from corresponding time point of male players.
by calculating partial eta
zp , 0.005 from corresponding time point of players.
squared (h2) values. Effect sizes
were classified as small (0.06),
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Inflammatory Responses to a Soccer Match

(p = 0.88, h2 = 0.002). Thus,
there was no gender difference
TABLE 4. Concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP in milligrams per liter) in
in the IL-6 responses to the
blood of male soccer players (n = 22), male control subjects (n = 20), female
match. Post hoc analysis for
soccer players (n = 21), and female control subjects (n = 20) before (pregame)
and after the game (postgame) and 24 and 48 hours after the game (mean 6
time 3 group interaction
SD).
showed that IL-6 peaked
immediately after the end of
Groups
Pregame
Postgame
24 h after
48 h after
the match, and this increase
Male players
1.53 6 1.28
1.60 6 1.30
3.46 6 2.59*
1.51 6 1.18
was 3- to 4-fold above the restFemale players
1.37 6 1.31
1.53 6 1.12
3.03 6 2.08*
1.78 6 1.33
ing values (p , 0.001, Table 2).
Male control
2.36 6 0.59
2.40 6 0.58
2.40 6 0.55
2.38 6 0.55
Interleukin 6 returned to baseFemale control
2.04 6 0.29
2.06 6 0.27
2.05 6 0.28
2.06 6 0.26
line values 24 hours after the
*p , 0.001 from pregame, postgame, and from 48 hours after the game for players.
match and remained at this
p = 0.005 from corresponding time point of players.
level at 48 hours (Table 2).
There was no change in IL-6
concentration in the control
group. Finally, IL-6 was higher
medium (0.14), and large (.0.14). Statistical significance was
in the control subjects than in players at all time points
accepted at p # 0.05.
(Table 2).

RESULTS

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

V_ O2max Test

V_ O2max was higher in male compared with the female

players (57.9 6 2.2 vs. 52.0 6 1.8 ml$kg21$min21,
p , 0.01). However, maximal HR was similar in male and
female players (199 6 7 vs. 198 6 5 b$min21, p = 0.59).
Heart Rate During Match Play

The average HR during the match was similar for the male
and female players (173 6 7 and 169 6 5 b$min21), which
corresponded to 86.9 6 4.3 and 85.6 6 2.3% of maximal HR
(p = 0.23).
Interleukin 6

The 3-way analysis of variance for IL-6 revealed a significant

main effect only for time (p , 0.001, h2 = 0.66), as well as an
interaction effect for time 3 group (p , 0.001, h2 = 0.66).
There was neither a time 3 gender interaction (p = 0.68,
h2 = 0.006) nor a time 3 gender 3 group interaction

The 3-way analysis of variance for TNF-a revealed a significant main effect only for time (p , 0.001, h2 = 0.75), as well
as the following interaction effects: time 3 gender
(p , 0.001, h2 = 0.08), time 3 group (p , 0.001,
h2 = 0.74), and time 3 gender 3 group (p , 0.001,
h2 = 0.08). Post hoc analysis for time 3 gender 3 group
showed that TNF-a peaked immediately after the end of the
match, and this increase was ;18% greater in males
compared with females (p , 0.005; Table 3). Tumor necrosis
factor alpha returned to baseline values 24 hours after the
match and remained at this level at 48 hours (Table 3). There
was no change in TNF-a concentration in the control group.
Finally, TNF-a was higher in the control subjects than in
players at all time points (Table 3).
C-Reactive Protein

The 3-way analysis of variance for CRP revealed a significant

main effect only for time (p , 0.001, h2 = 0.42), as well as an
interaction effect for time 3
group (p , 0.001, h2 = 0.41).
There was neither a time 3
gender interaction (p = 0.16,
TABLE 5. Creatine kinase activity (CK in units per liter) in plasma of male soccer
h2 = 0.02) nor a time 3 gender 3
players (n = 22), male control subjects (n = 20), female soccer players (n = 21),
and female control subjects (n = 20) before (pregame) and after the game
group interaction (p = 0.20,
(postgame) and 24 and 48 hours after the game (mean 6 SD).
h2 = 0.02). Thus, there was no
gender difference in the CRP
Groups
Pregame
Postgame
24 h after
48 h after
responses to the match. Post
Male players
177 6 19
376 6 32*
785 6 179*
365 6 133*
hoc analysis for time 3 group
Female players
145 6 22
262 6 55*
747 6 290*
343 6 185*
interaction showed that CRP
Male control
120 6 23
120 6 22z
121 6 22z
120 6 22z
peaked 24 hours after the end
Female control
136 6 18
138 6 18z
137 6 18z
137 6 18z
of the match, and this increase
*p , 0.001 from pregame.
was about 120% above the restp , 0.001 from 24 hours after the game.
ing values (p , 0.001, Table 4).
zp = 0.005 from corresponding time point of players.
C-reactive protein returned to
baseline values 24 hours after

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the match and remained at this level at 48 hours (Table 4).
There was no change in CRP concentration in the control
group. Finally, CRP was higher in the players compared with
the control subjects 24 hours after the match (Table 4).
Creatine Kinase

The 3-way analysis of variance for CK revealed a significant

main effect for group (p , 0.001, h2 = 0.77) and for time
(p , 0.001, h2 = 0.70). There was also a gender 3 group
(p , 0.043, h2 = 0.05) and a time 3 group interaction
effect (p , 0.001, h2 = 0.70). There was no time 3 gender 3
group interaction (p = 0.28, h2 = 0.016). Post hoc analysis
for time 3 group interaction showed that CK was increased
2-fold compared with resting values immediately after the
match, but peaked 24 hours later (Table 5). CK did not
return to baseline values 48 hours after the match (Table 5).
There was no change in CK concentration in the control
group and resting CK did not differ between players and
subjects in the control group (Table 5).

DISCUSSION
This study investigated the effect of playing a competitive
soccer game on cytokines response in male and female
athletes. One main finding was that IL-6 and TNF-a values
increased significantly on game cessation, whereas they
returned to resting levels within the following 24 hours.
Interestingly, CRP and CK reached peak values at 24 hours
after the match, and there was no difference between male
and female players. The comparison between cytokine
changes in male and female players showed that IL-6
responses were similar, but TNF-a immediately after the
match was higher in males compared with female players.
Cytokines are involved in the control of the acute-phase
response, in inflammatory reactions, and in tissue repair
processes. Interleukin 6 is one of the initial cytokines in the
respective cascade mainly released from the muscle (8,24).
Muscle damage alone induces a repair response, including
macrophage entry into the muscle causing further IL-6
production. As indicated by the indirect marker CK, the
degree of possible muscle damage was similar in male and
female players (Table 5). This may partially explain the lack
of significant gender difference in IL-6 responses. However,
there is evidence that IL-6 is secreted by muscle contraction
per se (6), independently of muscle damage. Reduced
glycogen availability, changes in calcium homeostasis, and
increased formation of reactive oxygen species can activate
transcription factors, which regulate the IL-6 synthesis
(10,12). It seems that IL-6 plays a pivotal role in the
regulation of metabolism during exercise since its plasma
increase enhances skeletal lipolysis and glucose uptake as
well as liver glucose production (40). Therefore, it has been
suggested that the appearance of IL-6 into the circulation
depends on exercise intensity and especially duration (13).
As it has been shown in several studies, IL-6 shows a gradual
increase with exercise duration, with the peak values

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observed at the end of the effort (9,12), followed by a fast

decrease toward the resting levels during the recovery
period. This pattern was also observed in this study, where
IL-6 peaked immediately after the game and the values
returned to baseline 24 hours later. This is in agreement
with the 2 previous studies where IL-6 was measured after
a soccer match (2,15).
Although TNF-a and IL-6 are tightly linked, since they
are early mediators of inflammation, we have found an 18%
higher peak in TNF-a in male compared with the female
players. The fact that the peak of TNF-a was higher in male
players may be due to several possible reasons. Based on
average HR measurements performed in this study, the
physiological load during the match was similar in male
and female elite players, and this is also supported by the
existing literature (3,19). However, the absolute workload is
lower in female players, since they cover less total distance
as well as less distance at high intensity during a match,
compared with male players (2,31). This is due to the lower
maximal oxygen uptake, muscle power, and sprint ability of
females compared with males (21,22). Thus, it may be
speculated that the lower peak in TNF-a in females may
be related with the lower absolute load (i.e., distance run)
during the match. Additionally, a possible suppressive effect
of estradiol on TNF-a (25) may explain the lower peak in
TNF-a in female players found in this study. All these factors
may be related with the lower TNF-a in the female players
of this study (26). Muscle damage does not seem to be the
primary regulator of TNF-a concentration in the circulation.
Andersson et al. (1) investigated changes in TNF-a in elite
female soccer players after two 90-minute games separated
by a 72-hour active or passive recovery. They found an
increase of TNF-a after the first but not after the second
soccer match (1), suggesting that its concentration in the
blood is not regulated only from muscle damage. In agreement with this notion, there was no gender difference in CK
responses, in this study, and thus, possible muscle damage
seems to be similar. A number of studies indicated that
TNF-a and its receptors are involved in muscle regeneration, rather than muscle damage, by a mechanism that
involves a decrease in infiltrating neutrophils and macrophages and expression of myogenic regulatory factors, as
shown in animal experiments (28,39). Furthermore, TNF-a
increase has been also suggested as a regulatory factor of
force generating capacity, aiming to minimize damage by
reducing intensity of muscular contraction. Indeed, TNF-a
administration to mice suppresses myofibrillar force production by 40% within 60 minutes (14). Likewise, Ispirlidis
et al. (15) showed that maximal muscular strength is
compromised up to 72 hours on game termination.
In this study, CRP reached peak values at 24 hours after
the soccer match and was similar between genders. Thereafter, CRP returned to baseline 48 hours after the match.
Also, CRP peak values were significantly lower in male and
female soccer players than the subjects of the control group.
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Inflammatory Responses to a Soccer Match

The time course of CRP was similar to that reported
individually for soccer (15), handball (4), and basketball
(5), peaking in the next day after the match and returning
to baseline 2 days later. C-reactive protein is synthesized
primarily by the hepatocytes, and it is regulated by IL-6,
IL-1, and TNF-a (11,17). Its concentration in plasma can
increase several thousand-fold during injury and infection.
During inflammation, increased circulating IL-6 acts on
hepatocytes to stimulate the synthesis of acute-phase
proteins, such as CRP. C-reactive protein has a role in
inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines in circulating monocytes and in suppressing the synthesis of proinflammatory
cytokines in tissue macrophages (29). Soccer induced
a marked but transient CRP rise within 24 hours in both
male and female players, as previously shown in other
exercise protocols (7,15,34). Moreover, baseline values of
CRP, IL-6, and TNF-a were lower in both male and female
players compared with subjects in the control group. This is
in accordance with the fact that chronic exercise improves
the inflammatory profile by decreasing cytokine production
by adipose tissue, skeletal muscles, endothelial and blood
mononuclear cells, as well as CRP levels (13,27,35,38).
In conclusion, a soccer match caused significant inflammatory responses in both male and female players as shown
by a 2- to 4-fold increase in inflammatory cytokines and
CRP. Although the inflammatory responses to an official
soccer match were similar in male and female players,
TNF-a was 18% higher in males compared with females.
The lower baseline values of IL-6, TNF-a, and CRP in male
and female players compared with the control subjects are
indicative of a positive effect of regular exercise training in
reducing inflammatory markers at rest (17,27).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The results of this study show that a soccer match induces
significant inflammatory responses in both male and female
players, with IL-6 and TNF-a returning to baseline 24 hours
later, whereas CRP decreases to resting values 48 hours after
the match and CK remains elevated at 48 hours. With the
exception of TNF-a, that was 18 % higher in male than in
female players, the inflammatory responses to the match
were independent of gender. The time course of those
responses has implications for training volume and intensity
after a soccer match. Because of the effects of inflammatory
responses on performance and health of the players, it is
suggested that coaches and trainers should adjust exercise
training programs after a match to promote recovery and
protect the athletes health. Furthermore, this study provides
evidence that exercise training for soccer reduces the resting
levels of CRP, TNF-a, and IL-6.

REFERENCES
1. Andersson, H, Bohn, SK, Raastad, T, Paulsen, G, Blomhoff, R, and
Kadi, F. Differences in the inflammatory plasma cytokine response
following two elite female soccer games separated by a 72-h
recovery. Scand J Med Sci Sports 20: 740747, 2010.

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2. Andersson, HA, Randers, MB, Heiner-Moller, A, Krustrup, P, and

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