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Br J Sports Med 2006;40:313-316 doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.021584
  • Original article

Serum concentrations of two biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase are increased in elite female soccer players after a competitive game

  1. B-M Stålnacke1,
  2. A Ohlsson2,
  3. Y Tegner3,
  4. P Sojka1
  1. 1Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
  2. 2Department of Surgical and Perioperative Science, Sports Medicine, University of Umeå
  3. 3Department of Health Sciences, Luleå Technical University, Boden, Sweden
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Stålnacke
 Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå 901 85, Sweden; brittmarie.stalnacke{at}rehabmed.umu.se
  • Accepted 19 December 2005

Abstract

Background: It is a matter of debate whether or not ordinary heading of the ball in soccer causes injury to brain tissue.

Objective: To analyse concentrations of the biochemical markers of brain tissue damage S-100B and neurone specific enolase (NSE) in serum of female elite soccer players in association with a competitive game.

Methods: Venous blood samples were obtained from 44 female soccer players before and after a competitive game for analysis. The number of headers and trauma events (falls, collisions, etc) was assessed from videotape recordings for each player.

Results: Concentrations of both brain damage markers were increased after the game (S-100B, 0.18 (0.11) v 0.11 (0.05) μg/l (p  =  0.000); NSE, 10.14 (1.74) v 9.05 (1.59) μg/l (p  =  0.001)). There was a significant correlation between changes in S-100B concentrations and both the number of headers (r  =  0.430, p  =  0.004) and the number of other trauma events (r  =  0.517, p<0.001).

Conclusion: The concentrations of both S-100B and NSE were increased by game associated activities and events. The increases in S-100B concentration were significantly related to the number of headers and other trauma events, which indicates that both these factors may have contributed to these increases.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

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