Creatine kinase (CK) is a key biomarker of exercise-induced muscle damage, especially in high-intensity sports such as soccer. During a 90-minute match, players experience neuromuscular fatigue due to the high energy demand and accumulated physical load. This causes a breakdown of muscle fibers, generating a significant increase in blood CK.
Studies have shown that after an intense soccer session, CK is significantly elevated and can remain altered for up to 24 hours after exertion, indicating an inflammatory process and incomplete recovery. In the study analyzed, CK increased from 233 U/L at rest to more than 658 U/L after exertion, reflecting the impact of training on muscle tissue. CK monitoring in soccer players allows physical trainers and physicians to adjust training loads to avoid overtraining and reduce the risk of injury. It has been observed that CK values are higher in players with a higher number of matches in a short period, demonstrating its usefulness in managing accumulated fatigue in tournaments with tight schedules. In addition, sustained elevation of CK along with other markers, such as CRP and leukocytes, may be useful in managing cumulative fatigue in tournaments with tight schedules and leukocytes, may indicate inflammation and risk of muscle injury. However, their interpretation must be individualized, as the CK response varies according to each player’s training level, genetics and recovery strategies.
In conclusion, CK is a fundamental tool in the evaluation of post-match muscle damage in soccer, allowing to optimize recovery, prevent injuries and improve sports performance. ⚽
Gopalakrishnan, J., Dharanirajan, K., Brewart, Z. P., Silambanan, S., Alwar, T., & Sivaraman, A. (2024). Biomarkers of a football match-play – Internal load analysis using Technical Soccer Specific Aerobic Field Test (TSAFT90). International Journal of Medical Biochemistry, 7(1).
