Effect of successive competitive matches on immunosuppression in young soccer players.
Successive matches, Physical Education and Training , Respiratory System
Objective: To investigate the effect of five days of successive matches in mucosal immunity and the signs and symptoms of infection upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in young soccer players Methodology: For the development of this research was carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Eleven young male soccer players from the same team participated in the study (age: 16.6 ± 0.51 years, height: 175 ± 8cm, body mass: 65 ± 7.9kg), of the category Sub 17, where they played five successive matches (J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5) with a 24-hour interval between matches. The PES of the session was used to determine the competitive internal load. The playing time for each athlete during all five matches was recorded to determine the internal load by PSE of the match. To monitor severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), we used the self-analysis questionnaire WURSS21 daily filled before the matches if the athlete is present symptoms such as cough, runny nose and nose covered (Fahlman e Engels, 2005). Descriptive statistic was used to data presentation. The normality of the dependent variables was verified with the Shapiro Wilk test. The Friedman test compared the sum of the WURSS 21 questionnaire responses and the field time on different days of match. Repeated measures ANOVA compared PSE scores over the days of competition. Results: The internal load values by the PSE of the session were different throughout the competition F (4.44) = 3.324, p = 0.01, η²: 0.23, power: 0.800. Differing between matches 3 and 4 (p = 0.02). The field time was different between matches χ² (4) = 21,231, p <0.001. Difference were observed between matches 1 and 3, (Z = -2.237, p = 0.02, 2 and 3, Z = -2.713), p = 0.007; 3 and 4, (Z = -2.750, p = 0.006, 5 and 4, Z = 2.520), p = 0.01. The PSE score values were different throughout the matches F (2,2; 24,3) = 4,374, p = 0.02, η²: 0,23, power: o.72. Differences were observed between match 3 and 5 (p = 0.04), and between match 4 and 5 (p = 0.01). No episodes of UTRS were diagnosed during the assessed period. It is concluded that successive matches can generate an increase of internal load, but it does not seem to influence in episodes of UTRS.