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 yr; 170.6 ± 9.4 cm; 64.9 ± 7 kg). No change was observed for salivary cortisol concentration across multiple matches (p=0.33; Effect size [ES]=0.13-0.48). In contrast, there was a decrease in salivary testosterone and IgA concentrations (SIgA) from the 1st compared to 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 versus all time-point; ES=0.47-0.73). No changes were observed for S-RPE across matches (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.