SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Akdeniz Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1

Comparison of Post–Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Creatine Kinase Responses Across Professional Soccer Leagues

Farklı Liglerdeki Elit Sporculara Uygulanan Yo-Yo Testinin Kas Hasarı Belirteci Üzerine Etkisi

Sibel Yıldırım(HİTİT ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-5123-4286
Nihat Özşengezer(CELAL BAYAR UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6986-8110
Pages
1–17
Publication Date
2026-03-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Variations in individual responses are likely attributable to intrinsic biochemical signatures and training status rather than league hierarchy.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aimed to compare the acute muscle damage responses of professional soccer players from different league tiers following a standardized high-intensity loading protocol.
📊
Key Findings & Data:It was hypothesized that there would be no statistically significant differences in Creatine Kinase (CK) responses among leagues despite varying seasonal match and training intensities.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Variations in individual responses are likely attributable to intrinsic biochemical signatures and training status rather than league hierarchy.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Futbol · Kas hasarı · Spor

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the acute muscle damage responses of professional soccer players from different league tiers following a standardized high-intensity loading protocol. It was hypothesized that there would be no statistically significant differences in Creatine Kinase (CK) responses among leagues despite varying seasonal match and training intensities. The study population consisted of 75 professional soccer players recruited from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) 1st (n=26), 2nd (n=25), and 3rd (n=24) Leagues. All participants performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1). Venous blood samples were collected 24 hours post-test, a timing chosen based on literature indicating peak CK levels at this interval. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v.24) via One-Way ANOVA, and effect sizes (partial eta-squared, η 2) were calculated to determine the magnitude of differences. The mean CK levels were 462.69±384.44 U/L for the 1st League, 433.00±335.97 U/L for the 2nd League, and 466.25±350.56 U/L for the 3rd League. The ANOVA results revealed no statistically significant differences in CK responses across the leagues (F=0.102,p=0.903, η 2=0.003). The findings suggest that professional league standing does not significantly influence the extent of acute muscle damage when a standardized exercise protocol is applied. The lack of significant variance and the small effect size indicate that professional soccer players across different tiers exhibit comparable physiological adaptations and sarcolemmal stability. Variations in individual responses are likely attributable to intrinsic biochemical signatures and training status rather than league hierarchy.

Özet

Bu çalışma, farklı lig seviyelerindeki profesyonel futbolcuların standartlaştırılmış yüksek şiddetli bir yükleme protokolü sonrası sergiledikleri akut kas hasarı yanıtlarını karşılaştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Sezonluk maç ve antrenman yoğunluklarındaki farklılıklara rağmen, ligler arasında Yo-Yo testi sonrası Kreatin Kinaz (CK) yanıtları açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark olmayacağı hipotez edilmiştir. Araştırma grubu, Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) 1. Lig (n=26), 2. Lig (n=25) ve 3. Lig'den (n=24) seçilen toplam 75 profesyonel futbolcudan oluşmuştur. Tüm katılımcılar Yo-Yo Aralıklı Recovery Testi (Seviye 1) protokolünü uygulamıştır. Venöz kan örnekleri, literatürde CK seviyelerinin bu aralıkta zirve (pik) yaptığına dair bulgulara dayanarak, testten 24 saat sonra alınmıştır. Veriler SPSS (v.24) programında Tek Yönlü ANOVA kullanılarak analiz edilmiş ve farkların büyüklüğünü belirlemek için etki değeri (kısmi eta-kare, η2) hesaplanmıştır. Ortalama CK seviyeleri; 1. Lig için 462,69±384,44 U/L, 2. Lig için 433,00±335,97 U/L ve 3. Lig için 466,25±350,56 U/L olarak belirlenmiştir. ANOVA sonuçları, ligler arasında CK yanıtları açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark olmadığını ortaya koymuştur (F=0,102;p=0,903;η2 =0,003). Elde edilen bulgular, standart bir egzersiz protokolü uygulandığında profesyonel lig düzeyinin akut kas hasarı derecesi üzerinde anlamlı bir etkisinin olmadığını göstermektedir. Anlamlı bir varyasyonun bulunmaması ve düşük etki değeri, farklı kademelerdeki profesyonel futbolcuların benzer fizyolojik adaptasyonlar ve sarkolemma stabilitesi sergilediğine işaret etmektedir. Bireysel yanıtlardaki farklılıkların, lig hiyerarşisinden ziyade sporcuların özgün biyokimyasal imzaları ve antrenman durumlarıyla ilişkili olduğu düşünülmektedir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Yıldırım, S., Özşengezer, N. (2026). Comparison of Post–Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Creatine Kinase Responses Across Professional Soccer Leagues. Akdeniz Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.1884613

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (39)

  1. Akyüz, M. (2011). Changes in serum cardiac troponin T levels in professional football players before and after the game. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 5, 1365–1368. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPP11.203
  2. Baird, M. F., Graham, S. M., Baker, J. S., & Bickerstaff, G. F. (2012). Creatine-kinase- and exercise-related muscle damage implications for muscle performance and recovery. Journal of nutrition and metabolism, 2012, 960363. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/960363
  3. Balnave, C. D., & Thompson, M. W. (1993). Effect of training on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Journal of Applied Physiology, 75, 1545–1551. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1993.75.4.1545
  4. Bate, R., & Jeffreys, I. (2014). Soccer speed. Human Kinetics. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781718225541
  5. Brancaccio, P., Maffulli, N., & Limongelli, F. M. (2007). Creatine kinase monitoring in sport medicine. British Medical Bulletin, 81, 209–230. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldm014
  6. Bangsbo, J., Iaia, F. M., & Krustrup, P. (2008). The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test: a useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports Medicine, 38(1), 37-51. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200838010-00004
  7. Burke, L. M., Castell, L. M., Casa, D. J., Close, G. L., Cost, R. J., Desbrow, B., & Stellingwerff, T. (2019). International association of athletics federations consensus statement 2019: Nutrition for athletics. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 29, 73–84. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2019-0065
  8. Chou, T. Y., Nosaka, K., & Chen, T. C. (2021). Muscle damage and performance after single and multiple simulated matches in university elite female soccer players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 4134. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084134
  9. Chycki, J., Krzysztofik, M., Sadowska-Krępa, E., Baron-Kaczmarek, D., Zając, A., Poprzęcki, S., & Petr, M. (2024). Acute hormonal and inflammatory responses following lower and upper body resistance exercises performed to volitional failure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, 7455. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137455
  10. Clarkson, P. M., Hoffman, E. P., Zambraski, E., Gordish-Dressman, H., Kearns, A., Hubal, M., Harmon, B., & Devaney, J. M. (2005). ACTN3 and MLCK genotype associations with exertional muscle damage. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md.: 1985), 99(2), 564–569. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00130.2005
  11. Di Salvo, V., Gregson, W., Atkinson, G., Tordoff, P., & Drust, B. (2009). Analysis of high intensity activity in Premier League soccer. International journal of sports medicine, 30(3), 205–212. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1105950
  12. Dugdale, J. H., Arthur, C. A., Sanders, D., & Hunter, A. M. (2019). Reliability and validity of field-based fitness tests in youth soccer players. European Journal of Sport Science, 19, 745–756. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1556739
  13. Freire, L. D. A., Tannure, M., Gonçalves, D., Aedo-Muñoz, E., Perez, D. I. V., Brito, C. J., & Miarka, B. (2020). Correlation between creatine kinase and match load in soccer: A case report. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 20, 1279–1283.
  14. Gabbett, T. J., Whyte, D. G., Hartwig, T. B., Wescombe, H., & Naughton, G. A. (2014). The relationship between workloads, physical performance, injury and illness in adolescent male football players. Sports Medicine, 44, 989– 1003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0179-5
  15. Hostrup, M., & Bangsbo, J. (2023). Performance adaptations to intensified training in top-level football. Sports Medicine, 53, 577–594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01791-z
  16. Hunkin, S. L., Fahrner, B., & Gastin, P. B. (2014). Creatine kinase and its relationship with match performance in elite Australian Rules football. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 17, 332–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2013.05.005
  17. Ivancevic, T., Greenberg, H., & Greenberg, R. (2015). Enhancing performance and reducing stress in sports: Technological advances. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44096-4
  18. Karabulak, A., & Aslan, C. S. (2023). The effect of different field floors on muscle damage in football. Journal of ROL Sport Sciences, 4, 487–504.
  19. Khaitin, V., Bezuglov, E., Lazarev, A., Matveev, S., Ivanova, O., Maffulli, N., & Achkasov, E. (2021). Markers of muscle damage and strength performance in professional football players during the competitive period. Annals of Translational Medicine, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-2923
  20. Kızıltoprak, Ş. (2020). Fatigue and recovery in football. Journal of Sports Medicine, 55, 172–185. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjsm.2020.174
  21. Kurapati, R., & Zubair, M. (2026). Creatine Kinase MB: Diagnostic Utility and Limitations. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
  22. Lazarim, F. L., Antunes-Neto, J. M., Da Silva, F. O., Nunes, L. A., Bassini-Cameron, A., Cameron, L. C., & Verlengia, R. (2009). The upper values of plasma creatine kinase of professional soccer players during the Brazilian National Championship. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 12, 85–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2007.10.004
  23. Markus, I., Constantini, K., Hoffman, J. R., Bartolomei, S., & Gepner, Y. (2021). Exercise-induced muscle damage: mechanism, assessment and nutritional factors to accelerate recovery. European journal of applied physiology, 121(4), 969–992. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04566-4
  24. Massidda, M., Voisin, S., Culigioni, C., Piras, F., Cugia, P., Yan, X., Eynon, N., & Calò, C. M. (2019). ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism Is Associated With the Incidence and Severity of Injuries in Professional Football Players. Clinical journal of sport medicine: official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, 29(1), 57–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000487
  25. Mathivanan, D. (2018). A critical evaluation on Algerian footballers in developing a standard criterion in physical selection and their playing position in football. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 5, 19–24.
  26. McBurnie, A. J., Dos’ Santos, T., Johnson, D., & Leng, E. (2021). Training management of the elite adolescent soccer player throughout maturation. Sports, 9, 170. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports9120170
  27. McHugh, M. P., & Tyler, T. F. (2019). Muscle strain injury vs muscle damage: Two mutually exclusive clinical entities. Translational Sports Medicine, 2, 102–108. https://doi.org/10.1002/tsm2.66
  28. Mohr, M., Krustrup, P., & Bangsbo, J. (2003). Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. Journal of sports sciences, 21(7), 519–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000071182
  29. Nedelec, M., McCall, A., Carling, C., Legall, F., Berthoin, S., & Dupont, G. (2012). Recovery in soccer: Part I—Post-match fatigue and time course of recovery. Sports Medicine, 42, 997–1015. https://doi.org/10.2165/11635270-000000000-00000
  30. Plews, D. J., Laursen, P. B., Le Meur, Y., Hausswirth, C., Kilding, A. E., & Buchheit, M. (2014). Monitoring training with heart-rate variability: How much compliance is needed for valid assessment? International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9, 783–790. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2013-0455
  31. Scott, B. R., Lockie, R. G., Davies, S. J., Clark, A. C., Lynch, D. M., & Janse de Jonge, X. (2014). The physical demands of professional soccer players during in-season field-based training and match-play. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 22, 7–15.
  32. Şenel, Ö., & Akyüz, M. (2010). The occurrence of muscle damage in male soccer players. Ovidius University Annals. Series Physical Education & Sport / Science, Movement & Health, 10.
  33. Şenel, Ö., Taş, M., Harmancı, H., Akyüz, M., Özkan, A., & Zorba, E. (2009). Determination of the relationship between body composition, anaerobic performance, leg and back strength in wrestlers. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 14, 13–22.
  34. Taş, M., Senturk, E., Ekinci, D., Demirdag, R., Comakli, V., Bayram, M., Akyuz, M., & Supuran, C. T. (2019). Comparison of blood carbonic anhydrase activity of athletes performing interval and continuous running exercise at high altitude. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 34, 218–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/14756366.2018.1545768
  35. Totsuka, M., Nakaji, S., Suzuki, K., Sugawara, K., & Sato, K. (2002). Break point of serum creatine kinase release after endurance exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 93, 1280–1286. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01270.2001
  36. Young, W., Dos’ Santos, T., Harper, D., Jefferys, I., & Talpey, S. (2022). Agility in invasion sports: Position stand of the IUSCA. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, 2, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.47206/ijsc.v2i1.126
  37. Young, W. B., Hepner, J., & Robbins, D. W. (2012). Movement demands in Australian rules football as indicators of muscle damage. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26, 492–496. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318225a1c4
  38. Clarkson, P. M., Hoffman, E. P., Zambraski, E., Gordish-Dressman, H., Kearns, A., Hubal, M., Harmon, B., & Devaney, J. M. (2005). ACTN3 and MLCK genotype associations with exertional muscle damage. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md.: 1985), 99(2), 564–569. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00130.2005
  39. Massidda, M., Voisin, S., Culigioni, C., Piras, F., Cugia, P., Yan, X., Eynon, N., & Calò, C. M. (2019). ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism Is Associated With the Incidence and Severity of Injuries in Professional Football Players. Clinical journal of sport medicine: official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, 29(1), 57–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000487