The influence of external load variables on creatine kinase change during preseason training period.

Gábor Reha,Dániel Csala,Gergely Pánics,Bence Márk Kovács,Péter Bali

doi:10.1556/2060.2021.30019

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyse the relationships between creatine kinase (CK) concentration, an indirect marker of muscle damage, and global positioning system (GPS)-derived metrics of a continuous two-week-long preseason training period in elite football. Twenty-one elite male professional soccer players were assessed during a 14-day preseason preparatory period. CK concentrations were determined each morning, and a GPS system was used to quantify the external load. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was established to determine the extent to which the external load parameter explained post-training CK levels. The GEE model found that higher numbers of decelerations (χ 2 = 7.83, P = 0.005) were most strongly associated with the post-training CK level. Decelerations and accelerations accounted for 62% and 11% of the post-training CK level, respectively, and considerable interindividual variability existed in the data. The use of GPS to predict muscle damage could be of use to coaches and practitioners in prescribing recovery practices. Based on GPS data, more individualized strategies could be devised and could potentially result in better subsequent performance.

Highlights

Football is a contact team sport played over a duration of approximately 90 min and is characterized by repeated high-intensity passages of play interspersed with active recovery periods [1]
Generalized estimating equation c2 values for each match-load index were converted to a relative format (Fig. 2A) in an attempt to apportion the percent contribution
This suggests that greater changes in mechanical demands of the training are associated with greater muscle damage

Summary

Introduction

Football is a contact team sport played over a duration of approximately 90 min and is characterized by repeated high-intensity passages of play interspersed with active recovery periods [1] These high-intensity passages consist of numerous intensive accelerations and decelerations and a series of high-intensity activities, such as sprinting, jumping, and changing direction [2, 3]. The eccentric activation of the muscle results in a higher tension per cross-sectional area and causes damage to cell membranes [13]. These actions are common during intense bouts of activity in football matches [14]. The interpretation of CK monitoring as a basis for making practical adjustments to athlete training and recovery practices over the course of a preseason training period (PTP) has not been established

Methods

Results

Conclusion