Epigenetic Age Monitoring in Professional Soccer Players for Tracking Recovery and the Effects of Strenuous Exercise.
Abstract
Elite sports have become increasingly professionalized and personalized, with soccer players facing a high number of games per season. This trend presents significant challenges in optimizing training for peak performance and requires rigorous monitoring of athletes to prevent overload and reduce injury risks. The emerging field of epigenetic clocks offers promising new pathways for developing useful biomarkers that enhance training management. This study investigates the effects of intense physical activity on epigenetic age markers in professional soccer players across multiple games and during a championship season. We analyzed DNA methylation data from saliva samples collected before and after physical activity. Vigorous physical activity was found to rejuvenate epigenetic clocks, with significant decreases in DNAmGrimAge2 and DNAmFitAge observed immediately after games. Among player subgroups, midfielders exhibited the most substantial epigenetic rejuvenation effect following games. Additionally, the study suggests a potential link between DNA methylation patterns and injury occurrence. Overall, our study suggests that DNA methylation-based biomarkers may have applications in monitoring athlete performance and managing physical stress.
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Research summary
Vigorous physical activity rejuvenates epigenetic clocks in professional soccer players, suggesting potential biomarkers for monitoring athlete performance and managing physical stress. The study explores the relationship between epigenetic markers and physical activity, which aligns with understanding biological aging processes and their implications for longevity.
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