Aim: This study was aimed towards determination of any changes in creatine kinase (CK) levels of the players, which is the most significant indication of a player’s muscle damage, along with the changes in iron-binding capacity, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) after an intercollegiate football tournament. Method: The study group consisted of 20 players between the ages of 19 and 28. Blood samples of the players were collected twice in the laboratory of a private hospital, one day prior and one day after the tournament, in order to determine their blood parameters. Furthermore, the players’ ages, heights, body weights, years of football experience, smoking statuses, and the total in-game time during the study were recorded. Bivariate, correlation, and paired sample t-tests were conducted on the data, using the SPSS 23 package program. Findings: The analysis of the obtained data revealed no statistically significant CK and iron level differences between pre and post tournament samples (p<0.05). On the other hand, iron-binding capacity, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV and MCH values were found to have changed in a statistically significant manner (p<0.01). Furthermore, between the smoking and non-smoking players, only the changes in MCV values were relevant (p<0.01). The time played had a positive correlation with CK levels (p<0.01), and negative correlation with iron levels. Another finding is that the age of players had negative correlation with MCV values (p<0.05). Results: Based on the findings, it was found that some of the blood parameters were altered after the intense match period, while others displayed no statistically significant changes. Play time was found to cause muscle damage and reduction in iron levels.
