The effect of eight weeks of soccer preparation program and beta vulgaris supplementation on the content of OPA1 and MFN1 proteins in soccer players

It is well-documented that physical fatigue from sports activities can negatively affect the immune system’s structure and function. Nutritional measures are suggested to delay fatigue and prevent the decline of immune system performance. The is study aimed to investigate the impact of an eight-week soccer preparation program and beta vulgaris supplement consumption on the content of OPA1 and MFN1 proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear immune cells of young male soccer players.

The study involved thirty male soccer players with an average age of 20.1±1.72 y. who had regularly participated in training and competitions in Shiraz in the two years prior to the study. The participants were divided into two groups, with one group consuming beta vulgaris supplementation (n=15) and the other group receiving a placebo (n=15).  The training program consisted of eight weeks of soccer preparation training, with three sessions per week. Before each training session, the players in the beta vulgaris group consumed 50 g of beta vulgaris supplement, which contained 6.13 mmol of nitrate dissolved in half a liter of water. The content of OPA1 and MFN1 proteins of mononuclear immune cells was measured before and after the intervention using the ELISA method. The data were analyzed using repeated measures of ANOVA test at p<0.05.

A study found that there was a significant increase in the MFN1 protein in both the exercise-supplement group (p=0.001) and the exercise-placebo group (p=0.009). Additionally, there was a significant increase in the OPA1 protein only in the exercise-supplement group (p=0.001), but not in the exercise-placebo group (p=0.72).

The study concluded that soccer training and beta vulgaris supplement can prevent disruption of the mitochondrial biogenesis process by increasing the content of MFN1 and OPA1 proteins.