Profiling Inflammatory Markers During the Competitive Season and Post Season in Collegiate Wrestlers

Abstract

Subjects experienced muscle soreness and fatigue early in the competitive season, along with an increase in markers of muscle damage. This may indicate an adaptive response to the training load. Low grade systemic inflammation increased late into the season, and correlated with poor sleep quality. Based on these data, wrestlers may benefit by additional recovery time early into the season to prevent muscle fatigue and damage. As the season progresses, low-grade inflammation may be prevented or monitored by tracking the quality of sleep.

Training Load Is Correlated with Changes in Creatine Kinase and Wellness over a 12-Week Multi-Stage Preparatory Training Block for a Major Competition in International Boxers

“…In this study, variations in CK were noted throughout the 12-week period, with significant elevations reported first at the beginning of training (weeks 1 and 2), which may be attributed to new or unaccustomed training [47]. The second and third elevations occurred during the latter stages of general prep (week 6) and the specific period (weeks 10 and 11), which may be indicative of an increased exposure to combative training and/or a greater intensification and specialisation in training, which has been previously reported in track and field athletes [33]. Upon closer examination, we note that the results of this study are presented with wide confidence intervals in the majority of the variables throughout the 12-week period, suggesting large inter-individual differences.…”

“…Creatine kinase (CK) is a biomarker commonly used to indirectly assess muscle damage, particularly in team sports, displaying associations with changes in CK levels and physical performance [30,31]. It has also been investigated in boxing [18] and other combat sports following rapid-weight-loss practices [32] during the competitive season [33] and has been shown to be a sensitive objective marker in this context. However, currently, there are no reports of CK levels in elite boxers over a series of periodised training blocks nor their relationship with other training-load measures.…”

Inflammatory Biomarkers in Elite Cross-Country Skiers After a Competition Season: A Case–Control Study

“…In a 6-week follow-up study with eight endurance-trained cyclists performing 2 weeks of normal training, 2 weeks of intensified training and 2 weeks of recovery training, no significant changes in weekly measured levels of IL-6 or TNF-α were detected [17]. Roth et al [31] examined six collegiate wrestlers each month throughout a 5-month wrestling season and found that TNF-α and IL-8 levels modestly increased late in the season compared with the preseason. The authors interpreted the low-grade inflammatory state to be associated with the long duration of the season and chronic exposure to high physical and mental stress [31].…”

“…Roth et al [31] examined six collegiate wrestlers each month throughout a 5-month wrestling season and found that TNF-α and IL-8 levels modestly increased late in the season compared with the preseason. The authors interpreted the low-grade inflammatory state to be associated with the long duration of the season and chronic exposure to high physical and mental stress [31]. Similarly, plasma concentrations of TNF-α were reported to be higher among ten elite Greco-Roman wrestlers during a heavy training period compared to preseason levels and nonathlete controls [43].…”

“…However, the clinical impact of these well-characterized systemic and mucosal responses in innate and acquired immune parameters is poorly documented [32,37]. On the other hand, regular vigorous-intensity exercise combined with other stressors and lack of sufficient recovery time faced, especially by elite athletes, can cause an overwhelming and sustained pro-inflammatory response, leading to systemic low-grade inflammation [8,12,31]. A systemic low-grade inflammatory state and immune dysregulation have also been implicated as mediators in the development of overtraining syndrome [12].…”