Differences in the inflammatory plasma cytokine response following two elite female soccer games separated by a 72‐h recovery

We investigated changes in a large battery of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines in elite female soccer players following two 90‐min games separated by a 72‐h active or passive recovery. Blood samples were taken from 10 players before, within 15–20 min, 21, 45 and 69 h after the first game and within 15–20 min after the second game. The leukocyte count was analyzed, together with several plasma pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines, using a multiplex bead array system. After the first and second game, the total leukocytes and neutrophils increased significantly. Likewise, increases (P<0.05) in pro‐inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐12, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interferon‐γ (INF‐γ), IL‐17], chemokines [monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), IL‐8 and monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG)], anti‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐2R, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐7, IL‐10, IL‐13, INF‐α) and the mixed cytokine IL‐6 were observed. Leukocyte and cytokine levels were normalized within 21 h. Active recovery (low‐intensity exercises) did not affect the cytokine responses. A dampened cytokine response was observed after the second game as only IL‐12, IL‐6, MCP‐1, IL‐8 and MIG increased (P<0.05). In conclusion, a robust pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine response occurs after the first but not the second soccer game. The implications of the dampened cytokine response in female players after the second game are unknown.