Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40726009›Full record

Observational studyAging cell2025

Epigenetic Age Monitoring in Professional Soccer Players for Tracking Recovery and the Effects of Strenuous Exercise.

Robert T Brooke, Thomas Kocher, Roland Zauner, Juozas Gordevicius, Milda Milčiūtė, Marc Nowakowski, Christian Haser, Thomas Blobel, Johanna Sieland, Daniel Langhoff and 3 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Aging cell, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Robert T BrookeEpigenetic Clock Development Foundation, Torrance, California, USA.
Thomas KocherEB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.ORCID 0000-0002-3424-3049
Roland ZaunerEB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Juozas GordeviciusEpigenetic Clock Development Foundation, Torrance, California, USA.
Milda MilčiūtėEpigenetic Clock Development Foundation, Torrance, California, USA.
Marc NowakowskiDNAthlete Austria GmbH, Salzburg, Austria.ORCID 0009-0009-8152-5186
Christian HaserEintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Thomas BlobelEintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Johanna SielandEintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Daniel LanghoffEurofins Genomics Europe, Aarhus, Denmark.
Winfried BanzerEintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Steve HorvathEpigenetic Clock Development Foundation, Torrance, California, USA.
Florian PfabDNAthlete Austria GmbH, Salzburg, Austria.

Funding

Innovation check of the National Administration Principality of Lichtenstein
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Elite sports have become increasingly professionalized and personalized, with soccer players facing a high number of games per season. This trend presents significant challenges in optimizing training for peak performance and requires rigorous monitoring of athletes to prevent overload and reduce injury risks. The emerging field of epigenetic clocks offers promising new pathways for developing useful biomarkers that enhance training management. This study investigates the effects of intense physical activity on epigenetic age markers in professional soccer players across multiple games and during a championship season. We analyzed DNA methylation data from saliva samples collected before and after physical activity. Vigorous physical activity was found to rejuvenate epigenetic clocks, with significant decreases in DNAmGrimAge2 and DNAmFitAge observed immediately after games. Among player subgroups, midfielders exhibited the most substantial epigenetic rejuvenation effect following games. Additionally, the study suggests a potential link between DNA methylation patterns and injury occurrence. Overall, our study suggests that DNA methylation-based biomarkers may have applications in monitoring athlete performance and managing physical stress.

Indexed as

AgingEpigenesis, GeneticExerciseSoccerAdultAthletesBiomarkersDNA MethylationHumansMaleSalivaYoung AdultBiomarkersC‐reactive proteinexerciseFitAgeGrimAge2soccersports injury

Identifiers

PMID40726009
PMCPMC12507406

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.