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Objectives: To analyze biochemical markers, wellness status, and physical fitness in elite soccer players in relation to changes in training and match exposure during a congested period of match play. Methods: Fourteen elite soccer players were evaluated 3 times (T1, T2, and T3) over 12 weeks (T1–T2: 6-wk regular period of match play and T2–T3: 6-wk congested period of match play). Players performed vertical jump tests, repeated shuttle sprint ability test, and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test at T1, T2, and T3. Plasma C-reactive protein, creatinine, and creatine kinase were analyzed at T1, T2, and T3. Wellness status was measured daily using the Hopper questionnaire (delayed onset of muscle soreness, stress, fatigue, and sleep quality). Training session rating of perceived exertion was also recorded on a daily basis. Results: A significant increase was found in stress, fatigue, delayed onset of muscle soreness scores, and Hopper index during the congested period (between T2 and T3) compared with the regular period (between T1 and T2) (.001 P r Conclusions: An intensive period of congested match play significantly compromised elite soccer players’ physical fitness and wellness status. Elite soccer players’ wellness status reflects declines in physical fitness during this period while biochemical changes do not.

An increasing number of research studies in men indicate endurance exercise training has significant effects upon the major male reproductive hormone, testosterone, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis that regulates reproductive hormone production. This review article addresses a relatively new reproductive endocrine dysfunction found in exercising men, what has been deemed the “exercise-hypogonadal male condition”. Specifically, men with this condition exhibit basal (resting-state) free and total testosterone levels that are significantly and persistently reduced. The exact physiological mechanism inducing the reduction of testosterone is currently unclear, but is postulated to be a dysfunction (or perhaps a readjustment) within the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular regulatory axis. The time course for die development of the exercise-hypogonadal condition or the threshold of exercise training necessary to induce the condition remains unresolved. The potential exists for these reduced testosterone levels within the exercise-hypogonadal male to be disruptive and detrimental to some anabolic or androgenic testosterone-dependent physiological processes. Regrettably, few research studies have addressed whether such processes are affected; thus, findings are equivocal. Conversely, the alterations in circulating testosterone brought about by endurance exercise training have the potential for cardiovascular protective effects and could be beneficial to the health of these men. Present evidence suggests this condition is limited to men who have been persistently involved in chronic endurance exercise training for extended periods of time (i.e., years) and is not a prevalent occurrence. Nonetheless, many questions regarding the male reproductive endocrine adaptive process to exercise training still remain unanswered, necessitating the need for much further research.

International audience; This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on the effects of physical activity (PA) on adipokine levels in individuals with overweight and obesity. Approximately 90 investigations including randomized control, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that reported on the effects of a single session of PA (acute) or long-term PA (chronic) on adipokine levels in individuals with overweight/obesity were reviewed. The findings support the notion that there is consensus on the benefits of chronic exercise training-regardless of the mode (resistance vs. aerobic), intensity and cohort (healthy vs. diabetes)-on adipokine levels (such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, adiponectin, visfatin, omentin-1 and leptin). However, several confounding factors (frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise) can alter the magnitude of the effects of an acute exercise session. Available evidence suggests that PA, as a part of routine lifestyle behaviour, improves obesity complications by modulating adipokine levels. However, additional research is needed to help identify the most effective interventions to elicit the most beneficial changes in adipokine levels in individuals with overweight/obesity.