Biochemical Profile of Serbian Youth National Soccer Teams

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine biochemical profile of youth national soccer teams and to compare the values of nine biochemical parameters between three Serbian youth national teams (under 14, 15 and 16 years old), as well as between soccer players and non-athletes. Eighty young soccer players and thirty non-athletes participated in the study. Nine biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), iron) were measured. In order to determine the significance of differences between the groups on a multivariate level a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was administered, and to test the differences between the groups on an univariate level a univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied. Statistically significant differences were found between groups (soccer players up to 14, 15 and 16 years of age) on a multivariate level of the applied biochemical variables (MANOVA, p= 0.00). ANOVA also revealed significant differences in Creatinine (p= 0.00), Total bilirubin (p= 0.00) and ALT (SGPT) (p= 0.02). Statistically significant differences in the applied variables were found between soccer players and non-athletes on a multivariate level (MANOVA p= 0.00). ANOVA also revealed significant differences in Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Creatinine, Total bilirubin, ALT (SGPT) and Iron (p= 0.00) between soccer players and non-athletes, but there were no statistically significant differences in other variables (AST (SGOT) and Urea). It was concluded that there is significant difference in almost all variables (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.), except AST (SGOT) and Urea between soccer players and non-athletes. From a practical point of view, the clinician has to take into account not only age, but also training status of individuals when evaluating their blood tests.