Title: Identification of serum biomarkers to create an athlete’s biological passport

Abstract:

Intense physical exercise induces metabolic and organ adaptations that result in variations in terms of concentration and activity of some biochemical and haematological parameters. The identification and monitoring of these parameters could represent a new method of clinical evaluation in athletes in order to prevent injuries, loss of shape and, above all, the appearance of some pathologies. For this study, we have recruited 12 male athletes from a professional basketball team who, with prior informed consent, underwent blood sampling in different phases of the sports season: 0 months, in the initial phases of the championship; 1 month and 3 months after the start of the championship. Erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelets have no significant variations, but there is an increase in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and in the mean platelet volume (MPV) between 1 and 3 months in comparison to 0 months. CK levels have no significant variation between 0 and 3 months; whereas LDH levels undergo a slight decrease if we compare months 0 with months 3. Vitamin D levels decrease at 1 month and 3 months if compared with 0 months. Finally, cortisol and thyroid hormones levels have no significant variation, but there is a moderate increase in the FT4 hormone at 1 month when compared to month 0. Moreover, we evaluated serum CRP levels that revealed a significant increase in 3 months if compared with month 0.In conclusion, this study has revealed changes in some biochemical and haematological parameters during the sporting season, in accordance with the frequency and intensity of physical activity. These parameters could be included in an “athlete's biological passport”, a panel of specific markers that, applied to the individual athlete, would help sports doctors and athletic trainers to develop personalized training and recoveryprograms, aiming at safeguarding the athlete’s health and maximizing athletic performance

Biography:

Cristina Mennitti is in Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.