Playing soccer increases serum concentrations of the biochemical markers of brain damage S-100B and neuron-specific enolase in elite players:: a pilot study

Primary objective: To analyse serum concentrations of two biochemical markers of brain tissue damage, S-100B and NSE (neurone-specific enolase), in male soccer players in connection to the game. Methods: Blood samples were taken in players before and after a competitive game and the numbers of headers and of trauma events during soccer play were assessed. Results: Both S-100B and NSE were significantly raised in serum samples obtained after the game in comparison with the pre-game values (S-100B: 0.118 +/- 0.040 mug L-1 vs 0.066 +/- 0.025 mug L-1 , p < 0.001; NSE: 10.29 +/- 2.16 mug L-1 vs 8.57 +/- 2.31 mug L-1 , p < 0.001). Only changes in S-100B concentrations (post-game minus pre-game values) were statistically significantly correlated to the number of headers (r = 0.428, p = 0.02) and to the number of other trauma events (r = 0.453, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Playing competitive elite soccer was found to cause increase in serum concentrations of S-100B and NSE. Increases in S-100B were significantly correlated to the number of headers, and heading may accordingly have contributed to these increases.