Open AccessBiomarker Response to a Competitive Season in Division I Female Soccer Players
Author(s) -
Alan Walker,
Bridget A. McFadden,
David J. Sanders,
Meaghan M. Rabideau,
Morgan L. Hofacker,
Shawn M. Arent
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of strength and conditioning research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.569
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1533-4287
pISSN - 1064-8011
DOI - 10.1519/jsc.0000000000003264
Subject(s) - zoology , hematocrit , total iron binding capacity , endocrinology , medicine , creatine kinase , ferritin , hemoglobin , serum iron , biology
Walker, AJ, McFadden, BA, Sanders, DJ, Rabideau, MM, Hofacker, ML, and Arent, SM. Biomarker response to a competitive season in Division I female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2622-2628, 2019-The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of training load (TL) on performance and biomarkers of health, performance, and recovery in Division I female soccer players throughout a competitive season. Subjects (N = 25, Mage = 20 ± 1.1 years) were monitored before the start of preseason and every 4-weeks thereafter (T1-T5). A battery of performance tests was administered before the start of preseason (P1) and end-of-season (P2), including body composition (percent body fat [%BF], fat free mass [FFM], and fat mass), vertical jump (VJ), and VO2max. Blood draws were conducted at every time point (T1-T5) to assess free and total cortisol (CORTF and CORTT), prolactin (PRL), T3, IL-6, creatine kinase (CK), sex-hormone binding globulin, omega-3 (n-3FA), vitamin-D (Vit-D), iron (Fe), hematocrit (HcT), ferritin (Fer), percent saturation (%Sat), and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Daily exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and TL were determined. There were significant declines in VO2max, VJ, weight, and %BF from P1-P2 (p < 0.05) with no significant differences in FFM. Training load and EEE significantly decreased from T1-T3 (p < 0.05). Significant increases were seen in CORTT, CORTF, PRL, T3, IL-6, CK, and TIBC throughout the season (p < 0.05). Significant decreases were seen in n-3FA, Fe, Fer, %Sat, and Hct throughout the season (p < 0.05). Female athletes experience significant physiological changes following high TL and EEE associated with preseason and appear to be further exacerbated by the cumulative effects of the season. Unique insights provided by biomarkers enable athletes and coaches to be cognizant of the physiological changes that are occurring throughout the season.