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Analysis of Overtime in Soccer

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Metabolic Stress
Interventions
Other: Experimental Diet
Other: Control Diet
Registration Number
NCT04159194
Lead Sponsor
University of Thessaly
Brief Summary

A randomized, two-trial (placebo vs. supplement consumption), cross-over, double-blind, repeated measures design will be applied to study i) the performance, metabolic and inflammatory overload of overtime in soccer and ii) how carbohydrate supplementation affects recovery following a football match with overtime. The study will be performed during a brake of the in-season period to mimic a real life setting. A 10-day washout period will be utilized between trials.

Detailed Description

Initially and before the familiarization period, measurement of descriptive variables will be performed: body composition, maximal oxygen consumption, football-specific endurance via YO-YO IE2 and IR2, technical performance, daily diet intake, resting metabolic rate (canopy method), and daily physical activity (IPAQ questionnaire). At this time, volunteers (of equal technical, tactical and physical potential) will be randomly assigned (equally representing all field positions) to two teams.

A 7-day familiarization period will be applied initially during which participants will be accustomed with research procedures, match tactics, and diet (a standard diet will be given based on their dietary analysis, RMR measurement and daily energy expenditure). During this adaptive period, volunteers will participated in light training aimed at developing team cohesion.

Thereafter, the two experimental trials will take place. Each trial will include administration of either a high carbohydrate diet (CHO trial) or standard diet (control trial) and they will be carried out in a random order for each participant. Each trial will included two 120-min matches (M1 and M2) performed 3 days apart according to UEFA official schedules for National teams' tournaments. On match days, volunteers will participate only in morning testing sessions but not practice. Prior to each game, a standard breakfast and meal will be consumed. During each match, players will be allowed to drink only water ad libitum and their water intake will be recorded. Sweat loss during the match will be determined by measuring players' body mass wearing dry shorts immediately before the match, at half time, immediately after the match and immediately after each half of the overtime. Two practice sessions will take place on days 1 and 2 between M1 and M2 designed according to the training model routinely adapted by national football teams during the UEFA EURO tournament. Matches will be organized according to official UEFA regulations. Field activity during matches and practices will be recorded using high time-resolution GPS instrumentation and heart rate monitoring. Following M1 and for the next 3 days until M2, participants will receive either carbohydrate or placebo. Diet intake will be monitored daily throughout the study.

Performance assessments will be performed post-matches and daily between matches.

Blood samples will be collected at baseline as well as at 90 and 120 min of each match and before M2.

Muscle biopsies will be collected at baseline as well as at 90 and 120 min of M1 and before M2.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • competitive level for ≥4 years (≥5 training sessions/week, ≥1 match/week)
  • no recent history of febrile illness, muscle lesions, lower limb trauma, and metabolic diseases
  • no use of ergogenic supplements and medication (for ≥6 prior to the study)
  • non-smokers
Exclusion Criteria
  • recent history of febrile illness, muscle lesions, lower limb trauma, and metabolic diseases
  • use of ergogenic supplements and medication (for ≥6 prior to the study)
  • smoking
  • competitive level for < 4 years

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
High CHOExperimental Diet-
Normal CHOControl Diet-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Measurement of maximal sprinting speed over 10 metersChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

10-m sprinting speed will be assessed on the soccer field by utilizing light cells

Measurement of maximal sprinting speed over 30 metersChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

30-m sprinting speed will be assessed on the soccer field by utilizing light cells

Measurement of total protein contentChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Total protein content will be assessed on muscle biopsy samples

Measurement of muscle phosphocreatine contentChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Muscle phosphocreatine levels will be assessed on muscle biopsy samples

Measurement of C-reactive protein levelsChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

C-reactive protein levels will be measured on blood samples

Measurement of countermovement jump heightChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.
Measurement of Na+ - K+ ATPase levelsChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Muscle Na+ - K+ ATPase levels will be assessed on muscle biopsy samples

Measurement of Tumor necrosis factor - α levelsChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Tumor necrosis factor - α levels will be measured on blood samples

Measurement of the capacity to perform repeated sprintsChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

5 x 30m repeated maximal sprints will be performed with 30 sec rest in between. Speed will be recorded by utilizing light cells.

Measurement of isometric maximal voluntary contractionAt baseline

Isometric maximal voluntary contraction will be assessed on an isokinetic dynamometer

Measurement of creatine kinase activityChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Creatine kinase activity will be measured on blood samples

Measurement of leukocyte countsChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Leukocyte counts will be measured on blood samples

Measurement of muscle glycogen contentChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Muscle glycogen content will be assessed on muscle biopsy samples

Measurement of muscle lactate concentrationChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Muscle lactate concentration will be assessed on muscle biopsy samples

Measurement of Interleukin-6 levelsChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Interleukin-6 levels will be measured on blood samples

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Measurement of glucose concentration in bloodChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Glucose concentration will be measured on blood samples

Measurement of blood lactate concentrationChange from baseline to 90 minutes and 120 minutes of the game.

Lactate concentration will be measured on blood samples

Measurement of reactive strength indexAt baseline

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Thessaly, School of Physical Education and Sports Science

🇬🇷

Trikala, Greece

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