Effects Of Gaelic Football Match Play On Markers Of Muscle Damage, DOMS And Neuromuscular Performance: 3375 Board #280 June 2 3

PURPOSE: This study examined the alterations in circulating creatine kinase (CK) levels, leukocyte trafficking, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), neuromuscular function and sprint performance in response to Gaelic football match-play. METHODS: Participants (n=30, age 17.41 ± 0.78 yr, height 176.42 ± 7.13 cm, and mass 72.03 ± 6.49 kg) played a single competitive 15-a-side Gaelic Football game of 60 min duration. Blood samples were taken before the game, immediately post game (Post), 24 h post game (+24 h), 48 h post game (+48h) and 72 h post game (+72 h). Subjective muscle soreness, sprint performance and muscle power were measured Post, +24 h, +48h and +72 h. Heart rate and movement patterns were continuously measured throughout the game using telemetry and GPS tracking, respectively. Heavy to severe impacts were classified as acceleration G-forces ≥ 7 recorded via portable accelerometry. RESULTS: Participants covered an average distance of 6.1 ± 1.1 km during match play. The majority (72%) of the distance involved walking and jogging. High speed and maximal running accounted for 10% of the total distance. There were a total of 155 impacts ≥ 7 G-forces. CK levels were significantly higher than baseline immediately post-game and 12h+ and returned to pregame values at +36 h. Compared to pre-match values circulating leukocytes and granulocytes were significantly higher than pre-game values post game and decreased significantly below pre-games values at +12h, +36 h and +60 h. Circulating lymphocyte numbers were significantly decreased below pre-game levels at +36 h. Compared to pre-game values, there was a significant decrease in peak force at +12 h and +60 h and a significant decrease in 5 m and 20 m sprint times at +12 h, +36 h and +60 h. Compared to pre-games values there was no changes in any of the other measured neuromuscular performance indices (flight time, jump time and jump height performance) at any time point. DOMS scores were significantly higher than pre-games values at +12h and +46 h and lower (p<0.05) than pre-game values at +60 h. There was no significant relation between impact and CK levels. CONCLUSIONS: Competitive Gaelic football match results in significant changes in CK levels, DOMS, leukocyte trafficking, peak force development and 5 m and 20 m sprint performance.