Musa et al. J Biomed & App Sci FUD (2024) 3:2
Keywords: Soccer, football, biochemical, liver, enzymes, kidney, sedentary, trained
2025-05-16 DOI: JOBASFUD_2024_3_2_001
Abstract Background: While the health benefits of regular muscular exercise are well-documented through numerous epidemiological studies, the precise dose-response relationship remains inadequately understood. This study was designed to assess the acute impact of a soccer match on the hepatorenal functions of male football players. Methods: Using a purposeful sampling technique, a total of 20 adult male football players and twenty age-matched sedentary males were recruited for this study. Twenty male football players were recruited for this study. Blood samples (3 ml) were collected at rest and immediately following a 90-minute competitive soccer match to evaluate hepatorenal function parameters, including total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (ALB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), AST/ALT ratio, creatinine, urea, and various electrolytes. Standard clinical methods were employed to measure these parameters. Results: At baseline (pre-match), the footballers exhibited significantly higher serum levels of TBIL, ALB, AST/ALT ratio, and creatinine compared to sedentary control group (TBIL: 11.35 ± 2.6 vs. 5.05 ± 1.7 mmol/l, p = 0.060; ALB: 48.75 ± 1.02 vs. 44.31 ± 0.7 g/l, p = 0.001; AST/ALT: 0.98 ± 0.06 vs. 0.53 ± 0.07, p = 0.0001; creatinine: 70.05 ± 2.3 vs. 64.46 ± 5.1 µmol/l, p = 0.003; K+: 5.07 ± 0.2 vs. 4.6 ± 0.1 mmol/l, p = 0.043). Conversely, their pre-match serum ALT and chloride levels were significantly lower than those of the sedentary group (ALT: 27.70 ± 2.1 vs. 38.78 ± 3.1 IU/L, p = 0.006; Cl-: 97.65 ± 2.9 vs. 104.69 ± 0.8 mmol/l, p = 0.01). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated bilirubin (CBIL), total protein (TP), bicarbonate (HCO3-), sodium (Na+), and urea levels at baseline. Following the soccer match, significant increases were observed in the footballers' serum urea and creatinine levels compared to their pre-match values (urea: 3.7 ± 0.2 vs. 2.9 ± 0.1 mmol/l, p = 0.012; creatinine: 81.9 ± 3.0 vs. 70.0 ± 2.3 µmol/l, p = 0.003). Additionally, post-match serum AST, AST/ALT ratio, and K+ levels were significantly reduced compared to pre-match levels (AST: 18.85 ± 1.5 vs. 26.85 ± 2.1 IU/L, p = 0.002; AST/ALT: 0.81 ± 0.05 vs. 0.98 ± 0.06, p = 0.007; K+: 4.2 ± 0.1 vs. 5.07 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.009). A similar reduction in serum ALT was observed in the sedentary group post-match (ALT: 31.84 ± 2.0 vs. 38.78 ± 3.1 IU/L, p = 0.029). Other parameters showed no significant differences between pre- and post-match levels. Comparatively, the post-match analysis revealed that the footballers had significantly higher serum levels of TP, ALB, AST/ALT ratio, urea, and creatinine (p < 0.05) than the sedentary group (TP: 82.70 ± 1.1 vs. 73.26 ± 3.7 g/l, p = 0.02; ALB: 49.85 ± 1.0 vs. 40.89 ± 1.8 g/l, p = 0.0001; AST/ALT: 0.81 ± 0.05 vs. 0.53 ± 0.07, p = 0.006; urea: 3.77 ± 0.2 vs. 2.56 ± 0.1 mmol/l, p = 0.0001; creatinine: 81.90 ± 3.0 vs. 55.63 ± 4.8 µmol/l, p = 0.0001). However, their post-match serum ALT and Na+ levels were significantly lower than those of the sedentary group (ALT: 22.40 ± 1.2 vs. 31.84 ± 2.0 IU/L, p = 0.001; Na+: 137.15 ± 3.0 vs. 141.78 ± 0.7 mmol/l, p = 0.01). Moreover, the percentage change in serum ALP, TBIL, CBIL, and Cl- from pre- to post-match was significantly higher in footballers compared to the sedentary (ALP: 50.65 ± 9.4 vs. 26.57 ± 4.8 IU/L, p = 0.031; TBIL: 12.15 ± 2.3 vs. 5.89 ± 1.8 mmol/l, p = 0.043; CBIL: 3.9 ± 0.9 vs. 1.2 ± 0.6 mmol/l, p = 0.027; Cl-: 10.45 ± 2.7 vs. 3.52 ± 0.7 mmol/l, p = 0.025). Conversely, the percentage change in TP and creatinine levels was significantly lower in footballers compared to the sedentary group (TP: 7.95 ± 0.8 vs. 10.57 ± 3.0 g/l, p = 0.001; creatinine: 14.15 ± 2.9 vs. 25.63 ± 4.01 µmol/l, p = 0.025). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that acute exposure to a soccer match and regular training does not have a deleterious effect on hepatorenal functions in male football players. Despite the exercise-induced fluctuations in hepatorenal blood flow, the liver and kidneys appear capable of maintaining their metabolic functions within homeostatic limits.