Individual-based Creatine Kinase Reference Values in Response to Soccer Match-play.

The aim of the present study was to determine the creatine kinase reference limits for professional soccer players based on their own normal post-match response. The creatine kinase concentration was analyzed in response to official matches in 25 players throughout a 3-year period. Samples were obtained between 36-43 hours following 70 professional soccer matches and corresponded to 19.1±12.1 [range: 6-49] samples per player. Absolute reference limits were calculated as 2.5 ^th and 97.5 ^th percentile of the samples collected. Creatine kinase values were also represented as a percentage change from the individual's season mean and represented by 90 ^th , 95 ^th and 97.5 ^th percentiles. The absolute reference limits for creatine kinase concentration calculated as 97.5 ^th and 2.5 ^th percentiles were 1480 U.L ^-1 and 115.8 U.L ^-1 , respectively. The percentage change from the individual's season mean was 97.45±35.92% and players were in the 90 ^th , 95 ^th and 97.5 ^th percentiles when the percentages of these differences were 50.01, 66.7, and 71.34% higher than player's season mean response, respectively. The data allowed us to determine whether the creatine kinase response is typical or if it is indicative of a higher than normal creatine kinase elevation and could be used as a practical guide for detection of muscle overload, following professional soccer match-play.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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