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Br J Sports Med 2008;42:198-201 doi:10.1136/bjsm.2007.040162
  • Original article

The relationship between changes in interstitial creatine kinase and game-related impacts in rugby union

  1. D J Smart1,
  2. N D Gill1,
  3. C M Beaven1,
  4. C J Cook2,
  5. A J Blazevich3
  1. 1
    School of Sport and Exercise Science, Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand
  2. 2
    Bioengineering Group, HortResearch, Ruakura, Hamilton, New Zealand
  3. 3
    Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
  1. Mr D Smart, School of Sport and Exercise Science, Waikato Institute of Technology, Private Bag 3036, Hamilton, New Zealand; daniel.smart{at}wintec.ac.nz
  • Accepted 9 August 2007
  • Published Online First 29 November 2007

Abstract

Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pre-game to post-game changes in creatine kinase concentration (Δ[CK]) and impact-related game statistics in elite rugby union players.

Methods: Twenty-three elite male rugby union players each provided interstitial fluid samples obtained via electrosonophoresis (ESoP) 210 min before and within a maximum time of 30 min after up to five rugby union games. Specific game statistics that were deemed to be important in determining the relationship between impact and [CK] were obtained from AnalyRugby software for each individual player. Regression equations to predict Δ[CK] from game statistics were created using a backwards random-effects maximum likelihood regression.

Results: The Δ[CK] (mean (SD)) from pre-game to post-game was 926.8 (204.2) IU. Game time and time defending were significantly correlated to Δ[CK] in both the forwards and backs. The predicted Δ[CK] (mean (95% confidence limit)) was 1439.8 (204.9) IU for the forwards and 545.3 (78.0) IU for the backs and was significantly correlated with the actual Δ[CK] (r = 0.69 and r = 0.74).

Conclusions: CK increased from pre-game to post-game in a position-specific manner. A large proportion of the Δ[CK] can be explained by physical impact and thus can be predicted using a prescribed number of game statistics. As the Δ[CK] is an indicator of muscle damage, the prediction of Δ[CK] provides a theoretical basis for recovery strategies and adjustment of subsequent training sessions after rugby union games.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None declared.

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