Cytokine responses to small sided games in young soccer players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine of cytokine responses to small-sided games (SSG) in young soccer players This study included fourteen male soccer players (14.5± 0.6 years). Soccer players are divided into 2 groups as 3x3 and 4x4 groups. 3x3 group players played 2x6x1 minutes small-sided games in 25x20 m area and 3x6x2 minutes small-sided games in 30x25 m area for 4x4 group players. Blood samples were collected at baseline [pre-training (PRE)] and at immediately after the exercise [post-training (POST)] to measure Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor (Tnf-α), and Lactate (La) parameters. And also Heart Rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) determined both PRE and POST. In the study, POST levels of La, IL-6, Tnf-α, HR, and RPE both in 3x3 group and in 4x4 group were found to be significantly higher than PRE (P0.05). SSG which is acutely applied in young soccer players, both 3x3 group and 4x4 group is are similar. However with a more players can increase tnf-α released and this can effect performance as negatively in young soccer players.

Keywords

• soccer
• cytokine
• interlukin-6
• small-sided games