Neurofilament light chain protein (NFL) has previously been shownto be a blood-based biomarker for sports-related concussion. Thus,the purpose of this investigation was to assess NFL concentrationsin a cohort of Division II female soccer players versus a group ofhighly trained female controls that did not participate in a contactsport. Eight Division II soccer players (mean ± SD: age 22 ± 6 yrs;body mass 65.4 ± 12.5 kg; fat-free mass 44.0 ± 6.0 kg; fat mass 18.7± 8.7 kg; percent body fat 27.6 ± 7.7%) and 17 active femalecontrols (age 25 ± 8 yrs; body mass 61.9 ± 5.4 kg; fat-free mass44.1 ± 3.9 kg; fat mass 15.3 ± 3.5 kg; percent body fat 24.7 ± 4.4%)volunteered for this cross-sectional study. Body composition wasassessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Model:Hologic Horizon W, Danbury CT USA). Blood samples werecollected and ascertained for plasma NFL concentrations. Therewere no differences in the physical characteristics between thesoccer players and active controls. Plasma NFL concentrations weresignificantly greater (P=0.0234) in the soccer players vs. the activecontrols (soccer 12.8 ± 9.1 pg·dL-1; active controls 5.7 ± 5.5 pg·dL-1).Thus, plasma NFL may be a potential biomarker for brain injury infemale soccer players.
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