COMPARISONS OF SERUM C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS AND NON-ATHLETES

The aim of this study was to compare the plasma concentration of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cells (WBC), uric acid, and total cholesterol (TC) between soccer players and non-athletes. We also intended to evaluate the relations of blood markers with VO(2)max and body composition variables. This cross-sectional study involved professional soccer players (n=40) and sedentary young men (n=60), aged 18-22 years. Blood markers such as CRP, WBC, uric acid, and TC were determined by laboratory tests. Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO(2)max), body mass index (BMI) and fat tissue (FM) were determined by the standard test protocols. There were no significant differences between CRP levels of soccer players and non-athletes (0.32 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.19 mg/dl). CRP correlated significantly with FM among soccer players (r=0.482, p <=.0.002). Our results also showed a significant correlation between TC and VO(2)max in soccer players (r=0.469, p <= 0.002). Our results showed that long-term soccer training may have no significant effect on the CRP level.