Authors: Olivia Carmen Timnea1, Vladimir Potop2,3,4, Liviu Emanuel Mihăilescu2,
Andreea Consuela Timnea-Florescu5, Valeriu Jurat4, Carolina Moga4, Ion Mihăilă2,3
Affiliation
1 Romanian-American University, Bucharest, Romania
2 Department of Physical Education and Sport, National University of Science and Technology “Politehnica” Bucharest, University Center Pitesti, Romania
3 Doctoral School of Sport Science and Physical Education, National University of Science and Technology “Politehnica” Bucharest, University Center Pitesti, Romania
4 Moldova State University, Institute of Physical Education and Sport, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
5 Chiajna Medical Center, Romania
Abstract
Background. In elite soccer, intense physical effort during competitive periods often leads to physiological stress, characterized by fluctuations in creatine kinase (CK) levels and alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, highlighting the need for effective recovery strategies such as antioxidant supplementation.
Aims. The aim of this retrospective clinical research is to explore how individualized antioxidant administration impacts CK optimization and induces changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in elite soccer players across two competitive periods.
Methods. The participants in the study were 30 elite athletes aged 19 to 34 years from a soccer team in League Two. There were measured 14 hematological and 6 biochemical parameters during two competitive periods in C2 (pre-competitive period of training 1) and C5 (pre-competitive period of training 2) stages. An individualized treatment with antioxidant substances was administered throughout both periods for the regulation of CK concentration.
Results. The main findings highlight: (1) the influence of the training effort on the interval of normal values for blood count parameters across two competitive periods in elite soccer players, with interval size showing increases of 88.49% and decreases of 11.51%. Percentage modifications average 56.13% in stage C2 and 58.57% in stage C5 while interval weight ranges from 16.04% to 72.52% in stage C2 and 13.43% to 73.67% in stage C5; (2) improvements in hematological parameters through an 88.49% increase and 11.51% decrease in normal values; (3) improvements in biochemical parameters with a 10.44% increase and 89.56% decrease in normal values; (4) significant correlations (6.55%) between hematological and biochemical parameters, with 9.52% in stage C2 and 3.57% in stage C5; (5) a 64.71% reduction in CK concentration within normal limits through antioxidant administration.
Conclusions. This study proved the influence of the training effort on the changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters of the elite soccer players over two competitive periods. The individualized administration of antioxidants depending on CK concentration contributed to maintaining and improving the sports results.
Keywords: antioxidant supplementation, CK, hematological parameters, biochemical parameters, elite soccer players.
