Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

  Background: Playing soccer in Small Sided Games (SSG) changes the immune system. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of SSG on the youth soccer players IL – 18 and neutrophils.

  Methods : Study was a semi-experimental type.To do so, from 24 soccer players aging between 15 to18 years that participated in this research,16 male soccer players were assigned into experimental groups (which included two teams with 4 members in each team, with mean and standard deviation, age: 16.13±0.88 height: 167±6.66 Centimeters weight: 58.70 ±7.34 Kilograms, and BMI: 20.96±1.79 who played in fields with the dimensions of 25×20 and 35×28.8 meters respectively. Eight players (with mean and standard deviation, age: 16.18±1.07 height: 171±6.75 Centimeters weight: 58.86 ± 8.21 Kilograms, and BMI: 20.03±2.14) were used as control group who did not play. The number of neutrophils and the level of IL – 18 were measured immediately before and after exercise. The collected data were analyzed through ANOVA and Scheffe follow-up test in the significant level of p<0.05 by using SPSS 16.

  Results: The results indicated that the level of IL-18 increased significantly in experimental groups and the highest amount was observed in the 2 vs. 2 groups, yet the number of neutrophils showed no significant changes.

  Conclusions: It might be concluded that SSG in youth soccer players may cause significant increase in the level of IL-18, yet not in the number of neutrophils.