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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(06): 446-454
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1398528
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Assessing the Effectiveness of Selected Biomarkers in the Acute and Cumulative Physiological Stress Response in Professional Rugby Union through Non-invasive Assessment

A. Lindsay
1   School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
J. G. Lewis
2   Steroid and Immunobiochemistry Laboratory, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
C. Scarrott
3   Department of Maths and Statistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
N. Gill
4   Institute of Sport and Recreation Research New Zealand, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand
,
S. P. Gieseg
5   Department of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
N. Draper
6   Department of Life Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 01 December 2014

Publication Date:
11 March 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Rugby union is a sport involving high force and frequency impacts making the likelihood of injury a significant risk. The aim of this study was to measure and report the individual and group acute and cumulative physiological stress response during 3 professional rugby games through non-invasive sampling. 24 professional rugby players volunteered for the study. Urine and saliva samples were collected pre and post 3 matches. Myoglobin, salivary immunoglobulin A, cortisol, neopterin and total neopterin (neopterin+7,8-dihydroneopterin) were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Significant increases in cortisol, myoglobin, neopterin and total neopterin when urine volume was corrected with specific gravity were observed (p<0.05). Significant decreases in salivary immunoglobulin A concentration were observed for games 1 and 2 while secretion rate decreased after games 2 and 3. Significant decreases were seen with the percent of 7,8-dihydroneopterin being converted to neopterin following games 2 and 3. The intensity of 3 professional rugby games was sufficient to elicit significant changes in the physiological markers selected for our study. Furthermore, results suggest the selected markers not only provide a means for analysing the stress encountered during a single game of rugby but also highlight the unique pattern of response for each individual player.

Key words

rugby - myoglobin - cortisol - salivary immunoglobulin A - neopterin - specific gravity - creatinine
 

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