Effects of small sided football and date seed (Phoenix dactylifera) powder supplementation on liver enzymes in inactive college subjects: an interventional study

Abstract

Purpose: In recent years, the rising prevalence of metabolic disorders and liver dysfunction due to sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition has become a growing health concern. This study investigates the effects of small sided football (SSF) and date seed powder (DSP) supplementation on liver enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the ALT/AST ratio in inactive college subjects.

Methods: Fifteen inactive male dormitory residents aged 21.53 ± 1.88 years (height: 174.46 ± 4.88 cm, weight: 67.67 ± 11.05 kg), who exclusively consumed university cafeteria meals, participated in two football matches. Between these matches, they consumed 0.25 g/kg of body weight of DSP thrice weekly for four weeks. Blood samples and anthropometric indices were collected before and after each game.

Results: The results indicated that SSF alone led to a reduction in ALT, ALP, and the ALT/AST ratio, while increasing AST levels (p > 0.05). Furthermore, it was observed that supplementation with DSP resulted in an increase in ALT, AST (p = 0.019), and ALP, along with a decrease in the ALT/AST ratio. Additionally, the findings revealed that SSF following one month of DSP supplementation led to an increase in ALT, AST (p = 0.002), and ALP (p = 0.035), while decreasing the ALT/AST ratio.

Conclusions: Four weeks of supplementation with DSP and SSF can improve liver enzyme levels, such as ALT, AST, and ALP, which indicate physiological adaptation to exercise and the potential impact of supplements on liver metabolism.

Keywords: ALP; ALT; AST; Football; date palm seed; functional food.

Figure 1.

Experimental design.

Figure 2.

Comparison of ALT (a), AST (b), and ALP (c) enzyme levels, and the ALT/AST ratio (d), between groups under different conditions and time points of the research protocol. Baseline (T1): baseline score in the first pre-test before the start of the first small sided football (SSF); post-test 1 (T2): first post-test after the first SSF; pre-test 2 (T3): second pre-test before the start of the second SSF after a supplementation period; post-test 2 (T4): second post-test after the second SSF after a supplementation period; *: significant difference at the p < 0.05 level; data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean.