Post-Match Changes in Muscle Damage Markers among U-21 Soccer Players

Th is study aimed to investigate the eff ect of offi cial soccer matches on selected markers of muscle damage in U-21 soccer players. A group of 19 trained, healthy male soccer players from the junior category took part in this study. Blood samples were assessed pre-match and immediately aft er a match in response to a competitive (2×45 min) soccer match. Analysis was performed for muscle damage and infl ammatory markers. Signifi cant diff erences between two measures (before and aft er soccer match) exist in Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Myoglobin. Plasma K+ signifi cantly decreased aft er the match (p