Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Regarding importance of anti-oxidative nutrition in recovery period especially in relation with strengthening the immune system, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect two consecutive soccer matches with vitamin C supplementation during recovery on serum immunoglobulin and cortisol in collegiate male footballers.

Methods: A sampling of 36 soccer footballers from football leagues first division of Iranian universities were selected and randomly divided in to three groups. supplementation group (SG) to perform two consecutive football games and receive one-liter beverage containing 500 mg vitamin C, placebo group (PG) also performed two consecutive football games and received  the same amount of aspartame-containing beverage, while the control group (CG) did not receive any intervention. Every football match consists of two 45- minute halves with 15 minute rest time in between and was held the interval of less than 48 hours of the next contest. Supplements were consumed in period 1 hour after the second games. Blood samples were collected before and one hour after second games for measurement measuring of the relevant indicators items. The paired and independent t-test was used to assess significant within and between groups to analyze the results.

Results: As can be seen in the table, the changes within the groups of IgA and cortisol (p=0.023) is significant (p=0.04) in the placebo group.

Conclusion: Overall, it seems appears that vitamin C supplementation in the form of effervescent tablets in during recovery  from two consecutive soccer games can moderated  change  in serum immunoglobulin A, G  and cortisol levels in college football players   and  may reduce the incidence of URTI in these players.