Footballomics: urinary metabolomics in adolescents and athletes playing football (soccer) – Review of the literature and practical approach

Abstract

Sportomics constitutes a true “athlete’s biological passport” for the systematic study of sport-induced responses and adaptations at any biological level. Specifically, metabolomics is a powerful investigative technology that allows the study of changes in an individual’s metabolome in real time, whether under physiological or pathological conditions and/or as a result of individual exposure to epigenetic factors such as environment, diet, and drug use. The specific subject of this contribution is metabolomics applied to football (soccer), which we call “footballomics”. In particular, metabolomics has the potential to provide new information and insights into the complex biological mechanisms that contribute to sports injuries and identify new targets for intervention. 

The purpose of this review is to focus on the 12 studies of urinary metabolomics in football players in both adolescence (n = 3) and adulthood (n = 9, of which 1 included adolescents) in order to identify a panel of urinary metabolites useful in practice to prevent injury, monitor functional recovery after fatigue, and optimize athletic training and sports performance. 

A practical table suggests important metabolites increased or decreased in urine (and other biofluids) specific to football players (acylcarnitine, alanine, citric acid, 2- and 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan, guanidoacetic acid, hypoxanthine, hippurate, lactate, methylhistidine, trimethylamine-N-oxide), that can help in monitoring fatigue and recovery, prevent injuries, optimize performance. 

Important elements to consider are: baseline value of metabolites, changes over time (e.g., weekly), changes before and after game, changes during the season, abrupt changes in concentration, correlations with Global Positioning System (GPS) and subjective Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), relationship with diet, relationship with any supplement, overall metabolite picture, anticipation of injury and/or illness. 

It is not difficult to foresee a bright future for metabolomics in the world of football.