Cellular and General Resistance of Young Futsal Players Aged 13-16 Years Depending on Blood Group according to the ABO System

Authors

  • Danil Dychko Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Culture and Health Preservation, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Education and Physical Culture, State Higher Educational Institution “Donbas State Pedagogical University”, Dnipro, Ukraine
  • Elena Dychko Department of Physical Therapy, Physical Education, Sports and Biology, Natural and Mathematical Education and Physical Culture, State Higher Educational Institution “Donbas State Pedagogical University”, Dnipro, Ukraine
  • Vladislav Dychko Department of Physical Therapy, Physical Education, Sports and Biology, Natural and Mathematical Education and Physical Culture, State Higher Educational Institution “Donbas State Pedagogical University”, Dnipro, Ukraine
  • Vadym Zhuk Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty No. 1., Donetsk National Medical University, Lyman, Ukraine
  • Natalya Shayda Department of General and Differential Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Physical Education, State Higher Educational Institution “Donbas State Pedagogical University”, Dnipro, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6029.2026.15.28

Keywords:

Futsal, young athletes, immune resistance, adaptation index, ABO blood group system

Abstract

Relevance: Regular physical activity during adolescence affects immune adaptation, but the possible contribution of genetically determined ABO blood group phenotypes to interindividual variability in immune resistance remains insufficiently substantiated.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the features of cellular, innate (general) and acquired immune resistance in young futsal players aged 13–16 years, taking into account ABO blood group phenotype.

Materials and Methods: A total of 75 boys aged 13–16 years were examined: 45 futsal players and 30 practically healthy peers who did not engage in organized sports. Peripheral blood parameters were analyzed, including leukocytes, granulocytes, agranulocytes, neutrophil subpopulations, lymphocytes, monocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The adaptation index (AI) was calculated as the lymphocyte-to-segmented neutrophil ratio. Statistical analysis included assumption checking, pairwise comparisons with correction for multiple subgroup testing, and additional reporting of 95% confidence intervals, Cohen’s d effect sizes and observed power for AI comparisons.

Results: Most young futsal players demonstrated cellular and general immune resistance indicators corresponding to physiological adaptation. In athletes with O(I), A(II) and B(III) blood groups, AI corresponded to calm activation. In the AB(IV) subgroup, AI was lower than in controls and reached nominal statistical significance; however, this finding should be interpreted cautiously because of the very small subgroup size and loss of confirmatory strength after correction for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions: The study suggests that systematic futsal training in adolescents is generally associated with physiological immune adaptation. The possible relationship between ABO phenotype and immune adaptation requires verification in larger, longitudinal and statistically powered samples.

References

Gleeson M. Immune function in sport and exercise. J Appl Physiol 2007; 103(2): 693-699. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00008.2007

Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body’s defense system. J Sport Health Sci 2019; 8(3): 201-217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2018.09.009

Schlagheck ML, Walzik D, Joisten N, Koliamitra C, Hardt L, Metcalfe AJ, Wahl P, Bloch W, Schenk A, Zimmer P. Cellular immune response to acute exercise: Comparison of endurance and resistance exercise. Eur J Haematol 2020; 105(1): 75-84. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ejh.13412

Walzik D, Joisten N, Zacher J, Zimmer P. Transferring clinically established immune inflammation markers into exercise physiology: focus on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune-inflammation index. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 121(7): 1803-1814. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04668-7

Haller N, Behringer M, Reichel T, Wahl P, Simon P, Krüger K, Zimmer P, Stöggl T. Blood-Based Biomarkers for Managing Workload in Athletes: Considerations and Recommendations for Evidence-Based Use of Established Biomarkers. Sports Med 2023; 53(7): 1315-1333. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01836-x

Markov A, Bussweiler J, Helm N, Arntz F, Steidten T, Krohm L, Sacot A, Baumert P, Puta C, Chaabene H. Acute effects of concurrent muscle power and sport-specific endurance exercises on markers of immunological stress response and measures of muscular fitness in highly trained youth male athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123(5): 1015-1026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05126-8

Zacher J, Wesemann F, Joisten N, Walzik D, Bloch W, Predel G. Cellular Integrative Immune Markers in Elite Athletes. Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(4): 298-308. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1976-6069

Nieman DC, Pence BD. Exercise immunology: Future directions. J Sport Health Sci 2020; 9(5): 432-445. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2019.12.003

Nowak R, Trzeciak-Ryczek A, Ciechanowicz A, Brodkiewicz A, Urasińska E, Kostrzewa-Nowak D. The Impact of Different Types of Physical Effort on the Expression of Selected Chemokine and Interleukin Receptor Genes in Peripheral Blood Cells. Cells 2023; 12(8): 1119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12081119

Bizjak DA, John L, Munk M, Bizjak R, Witzel J, Siebers C, Schulz SVW, Engler H, Siebers M, Kirsten J, Grau M. (Ultra) inflammation or adaptation? Comparison of different ultramarathon distances and their effect on the immune system. Front Immunol 2026; 17: 1799887. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1799887

Latina H, Kalynychenko I, Tkachuk O, Danysko O, Ivanova T. Integral evaluation of the formation of adaptive capacity of the children’s body under the condition of systematic specific physical load. Physical Rehabilitation and Recreational Health Technologies 2025; 10(2): 77-86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15391/prrht.2025-10(2).03

Dychko D, Dychko V, Kushakova N, Kholodnyi O, Mukhina V. The impact of physical activity on the adaptation processes in the body of adolescent futsal athletes. Int J Hum Mov Sports Sci 2025; 13(2): 397-403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2025.130217

Barreira J, Wunderlich K, Batista ABCV, Silva Junior JEPD. Physiological demands and player characteristics in women’s futsal: a systematic review. Front Physiol 2025; 16: 1642594. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1642594

Borges L, Gorjão R, Gray SR, Martins TR, Santos VC, Momesso CM, Pithon-Curi TC, Hatanaka E. Lymphocyte activation after a high-intensity street dance class. PloS one 2020; 15(9): e0239516. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239516

Clemente FM, Silva AF, Sarmento H, Ramirez-Campillo R, Chiu YW, Lu YX, Bezerra P, Chen YS. Psychobiological Changes during National Futsal Team Training Camps and Their Relationship with Training Load. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17(6): 1843. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17061843

Baskerville R, Castell L, Bermon SSports and Immunity, from the recreational to the elite athlete. Infect Dis Now 2024; 54(4S): 104893. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idnow.2024.104893

Kostrzewa-Nowak D, Wityk P, Ciechanowicz A, Nowak R. Post-match recovery profile of leukocyte cell subsets among professional soccer players. Sci Rep 2021; 11(1): 13352. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92956-9

Borges L, Dermargos A, Gorjão R, Cury-Boaventura MF, Hirabara SM, Abad CC, Pithon-Curi TC, Curi R, Barros MP, Hatanaka E. Updating futsal physiology, immune system, and performance. Res Sports Med (Print) 2022; 30(6): 659-676. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2021.1929221

Silva AF, González-Fernández FT, Ceylan HI, Silva R, Younesi S, Chen YS, Badicu G, Wolański P, Murawska-Ciałowicz E, Clemente FM. Relationships between Fitness Status and Blood Biomarkers in Professional Soccer Players. J Healthc Eng 2022; 2022: 5135817. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5135817

Latour E, Arlet J, Latour EE, Juszkiewicz A, Łuczkowska K, Marcinkiewicz A, Basta P, Trzeciak J, Machaliński B, Skarpańska-Stejnborn A. Standardized astragalus extract for attenuation of the immunosuppression induced by strenuous physical exercise: randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2021; 18(1): 57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00425-5

Ahmed OS, Ahmed SS, Dheyab RT. Body composition and physical fitness of different blood groups in Olympic athletes. J Hum Sport Exerc 2024; 19(1): 211-219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2024.191.19

Junresti W, Murniati S. The comparison of cardiovascular endurance based on the blood types for the students of Sport Science Faculty of Jambi University. In 1st International Conference on Sport Sciences, Health and Tourism. Atlantis Press, 2021; pp. 291-297. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/ahsr.k.210130.063

Lippi G, Gandini G, Salvagno GL, Skafidas S, Festa L, Danese E, Montagnana M, Sanchis-Gomar F, Tarperi C, Schena F. Influence of ABO blood group on sports performance. Ann Transl Med 2017; 5(12): 255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2017.04.33

Pedersen BK, Hoffman-Goetz L. Exercise and the immune system: Regulation, integration, and adaptation. Physiol Rev 2000; 80(3): 1055-1081. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.2000.80.3.1055

Wahl P, Mathes S, Bloch W, Zimmer P. Acute Impact of Recovery on the Restoration of Cellular Immunological Homeostasis. Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(1): 12-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1015-0453

Walsh NP, Oliver SJ. Exercise, immune function and respiratory infection: An update on the influence of training and environmental stress. Immunol Cell Biol 2016; 94(2): 132-139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/icb.2015.99

Smith LL. Overtraining, excessive exercise, and altered immunity. Sports Med 2003; 33(5): 347-364. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200333050-00002

Mackinnon LT. Overtraining effects on immunity and performance in athletes. Immunol Cell Biol 2000; 78(5): 502-509. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1711.2000.t01-7-.x

Steidten T, Baumbach P, May R, Gabriel B, Herbsleb M, Markov A, Granacher U, Kellmann M, Bloch W, Gabriel HH, W., Puta C. Overnight Immune Regulation and Subjective Measures of Sleep: A Three Night Observational Study in Adolescent Track and Field Athletes. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3: 689805. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.689805

Bekris E, Gioldasis A, Gissis I, Katis A, Mitrousis I, Mylonis E. Effects of a Futsal Game on Metabolic, Hormonal, and Muscle Damage Indicators of Male Futsal Players. J Strength Cond Res 2022; 36(2): 545-550. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003466

Albalad-Aiguabella R, Navarrete-Villanueva D, Mainer-Pardos E, Villanueva-Guerrero O, Muniz-Pardos B, Vicente-Rodríguez G. Physical Training Considerations for Futsal Players According to Strength and Conditioning Coaches: A Qualitative Study. Sports 2025; 13(4): 126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13040126

Chen YS, Clemente FM, Pagaduan JC, Crowley-McHattan ZJ, Lu YX, Chien CH, Bezerra P, Chiu YW, Kuo CD. Relationships between perceived measures of internal load and wellness status during overseas futsal training camps. PloS One 2022; 17(4): e0267227. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267227

Dychko DV, Dychko O, Dychko VV. The influence of physical exertion on the level of adaptive stress of the body of futsal girls who are in a critical period of the formation of the immune system. Naukowyi Chasopys Dragomanov Ukrainian State University. Series 15 2024; 11(184): 54-57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31392/UDU-nc.series15.2024.11(184).11

Van Alsten SC, Aversa JG, Santo L, Camargo MC, Kemp T, Liu J, et al. Association between ABO and Duffy blood types and circulating chemokines and cytokines. Genes Immun 2021; 22(3): 161-171. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41435-021-00137-5

Zhao JH, Stacey D, Eriksson N, Macdonald-Dunlop E, Hedman AK, Kalnapenkis A, et al. Genetics of circulating inflammatory proteins identifies drivers of immune-mediated disease risk and therapeutic targets. Nat Immunol 2023; 24(9): 1540-1551. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01588-w

Zhang J, Huang S, Zhu Z, Gatt A, Liu J. E-selectin in vascular pathophysiology. Front Immunol 2024; 15: 1401399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1401399

Liu FH, Guo JK, Xing WY, Bai XL, Chang YJ, Lu Z, et al. ABO and Rhesus blood groups and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies. BMC Med 2024; 22(1): 206. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03423-x

Haberichter SL, O’Donnell JS. Structure and multiple functions of von Willebrand factor. Haematologica 2026; 111(1): 15-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.286029

Downloads

Published

2026-07-25

How to Cite

Dychko, D. ., Dychko, E. ., Dychko, V. ., Zhuk, V. ., & Shayda, N. . (2026). Cellular and General Resistance of Young Futsal Players Aged 13-16 Years Depending on Blood Group according to the ABO System. International Journal of Statistics in Medical Research, 15(3), 324–333. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6029.2026.15.28

Issue

Section

General Articles