Creatine kinase (CK) is a key enzyme in ATP regeneration in tissues with high energy demand, such as skeletal muscle. Its measurement in blood is widely used as an indicator of post-exercise muscle damage, especially in high-intensity sports such as soccer. After physical exertion, CK is released into the bloodstream due to the breakdown of muscle fibers, reaching its peak between 24 and 48 hours after exercise and returning to normal levels in the following days, depending on the intensity and duration of the activity.
In professional soccer, several studies have shown that players experience a significant increase in CK after matches, reflecting the impact of high-intensity actions such as sprints, changes of direction and jumps. It has been observed that blood CK concentration varies individually depending on factors such as player experience, training level and accumulation of fatigue during periods of match congestion.
CK monitoring is especially useful in training and recovery planning, as it allows physical trainers and physicians to assess the degree of muscle stress and adjust workloads. In periods of intense competition, persistently elevated CK values may indicate a risk of overtraining or muscle injury.
In addition, the use of CK in conjunction with other biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), provides a more complete picture of the recovery status of the athlete. Despite its benefits, CK shows great interindividual variability, so its interpretation should be complemented with other methods, such as functional tests and perception of effort.
In conclusion, CK is a fundamental parameter in the monitoring of post-exercise muscle damage, allowing better recovery management and injury prevention in high-performance athletes. 🚑⚽
Article based on the study Biomarkers of post-match recovery in semi-professional and professional soccer Íñigo M. Pérez-Castillo1, Ricardo Rueda1, Hakim Bouzamondo2, José López-Chicharro3* and Niko Mihic3. 1Abbott Nutrition, R&D, Granada, Spain, 2Abbott Nutrition, R&D, Chicago, IL, United States, 3Real Madrid, Medical Services, Madrid, Spain.
