Objectives: To investigate the effect of multiple seasons of play on serum S100B concentration in male professional rugby players, while also assessing the acute effects following a season of play and concussion.
Methods: A prospective study of professional male rugby players over three seasons (2016/17 to 2018/19) was conducted. Serum sampling was carried out during pre-season, post-season and following a concussion; sustained during match play at a home game (between 2-24hrs), during each season. Serum S100B concentrations were determined by ELISA assay.
Results: Fourteen players sustained 24 concussions over three seasons, of which 13 samples (54%) were collected. Pre- and post-season serum S100B remained stable across multiple seasons. S100B concentration increased significantly following concussion compared with pre-season (p = 0.002) and post-season (p = 0.009), reflective in a 3.23-fold-change post-concussion, with no difference found between pre- and post-season values. S100B concentration measured at post-season was not significantly different for players who had a concussion during a season and players who did not.
Conclusion: S100B remains stable across multiple seasons of play in professional rugby players. As concussion results in a temporary increase in S100B concentration, returning to pre-season values by post-season, S100B may be a useful diagnostic marker for improving existing management protocols for sports-related concussions.
Keywords: Protein S100B; blood biomarker; brain injury; rugby players; sports-related concussion.