Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Factors Affecting the Rate of Phosphocreatine Resynthesis Following Intense Exercise

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Within the skeletal muscle cell at the onset of muscular contraction, phosphocreatine (PCr) represents the most immediate reserve for the rephosphorylation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). As a result, its concentration can be reduced to less than 30% of resting levels during intense exercise. As a fall in the level of PCr appears to adversely affect muscle contraction, and therefore power output in a subsequent bout, maximising the rate of PCr resynthesis during a brief recovery period will be of benefit to an athlete involved in activities which demand intermittent exercise. Although this resynthesis process simply involves the rephosphorylation of creatine by aerobically produced ATP (with the release of protons), it has both a fast and slow component, each proceeding at a rate that is controlled by different components of the creatine kinase equilibrium. The initial fast phase appears to proceed at a rate independent of muscle pH. Instead, its rate appears to be controlled by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels; either directly through its free cytosolic concentration, or indirectly, through its effect on the free energy of ATP hydrolysis. Once this fast phase of recovery is complete, there is a secondary slower phase that appears almost certainly rate-dependant on the return of the muscle cell to homeostatic intracellular pH. Given the importance of oxidative phosphorylation in this resynthesis process, those individuals with an elevated aerobic power should be able to resynthesise PCr at a more rapid rate than their sedentary counterparts. However, results from studies that have used phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy, have been somewhat inconsistent with respect to the relationship between aerobic power and PCr recovery following intense exercise. Because of the methodological constraints that appear to have limited a number of these studies, further research in this area is warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jansson E, Dudley GA, Norman B, et al. Relationship of recovery from intense exercise to the oxidative potential of skeletal muscle. Acta Physiol Scand 1990; 139 (1): 147–52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Casey A, Consantin-Teodosiu D, Howell S, et al. Metabolic response of type I and II muscle fibres during repeated bouts of maximal exercise in humans. Am J Physiol 1996; 271 (1 Pt 1): E38–43

    Google Scholar 

  3. Tesch PA, Thorsson A, Fujitsuka N. Creatine phosphate in fibre types of skeletal muscle before and after exhaustive exercise. J Appl Physiol 1989; 66 (4): 1756–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bogdanis GC, Nevill ME, Boobis LH, et al. Contribution of phosphocreatine and aerobic metabolism to energy supply during repeated sprint exercise. J Appl Physiol 1996; 80 (3): 876–84

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. McCann DJ, Mole PA, Caton JR. Phosphocreatine kinetics in humans during exercise and recovery. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1995; 27 (3): 378–87

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Takahashi H, Inaki M, Fujimoto K, et al. Control of the rate of phosphocreatine resynthesis after exercise in trained and untrained human quadriceps muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol 1995; 71 (5): 396–404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Newsholme EA, Beis I, Leech AR, et al. The role of creatine kinase and arginine kinase in muscle. Biochem J 1978; 172 (3): 533–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wegener G, Krause U. Environmental and exercise anaerobiosis in frogs. In: Hochaachka PW, Lutz PL, Sick T, et al., editors. Surviving hypoxia: mechanisms of control and adaptation. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press, 1993: 217–36

    Google Scholar 

  9. Walter G, Vandenborne K, McCully KK, et al. Noninvasive measurement of phosphocreatine recovery kinetics in single human muscles. Am J Physiol 1997; 272 (41): C525–34

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hultman E, Sjoholm H. Energy metabolism and contraction force of human skeletal muscle in situ during electrical stimulation. J Physiol 1983; 345: 525–32

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Jacobs I, Tesch PA, Bar-Or O, et al. Lactate in human skeletal muscle after 10s and 30s of supramaximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 1983; 55 (2): 365–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sahlin K, Edstrom L, Sjoholm H. Fatigue and phosphocreatine depletion during carbon dioxide-induced acidosis in rat muscle. Am J Physiol 1983; 245 (1): C15–20

    Google Scholar 

  13. McCartney N, Spriet LL, Heigenhauser GJF, et al. Muscle power and metabolism in maximal intermittent exercise. J Appl Physiol 1986; 60 (4): 1164–96

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Metzger JM, Fitts RH. Role of intracellular pH in muscle fatigue. J Appl Physiol 1987; 62 (4): 1392–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Spriet LL, Lindinger MI, McKelvie RS, et al. Muscle glycogenolysis and H+ concentration during maximal intermittent cycling. J Appl Physiol 1989; 66 (1): 8–13

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Bangsbo J. Muscle oxygen uptake in humans at onset and during intense exercise. Acta Physiol Scand 2000; 168: 457–64

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Gonzalez-Alanso J, Calbert JA, Nielsen B. Metabolic and thermodynamic responses to dehydration-induced reductions in muscle blood flow in exercising humans. J Physiol 1999; 520 (2): 577–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Sahlin K, Tonkonogi M, Soderlund K. Energy supply and muscle fatigue in humans. Acta Physiol Scand 1998; 162 (3): 261–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Chase P, Kushmerick MJ. Effects of pH on contraction of rabbit fast and slow skeletal muscle fibres. Biophys J 1998; 53: 935–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Cooke R, Franks K, Luciani GB, et al. The inhibition of rabbit skeletal muscle contraction by hydrogen ions and phosphate. J Physiol 1988; 395: 77–97

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Miller RG, Giannini D, Milner-Brown H, et al. Effects of fatiguing exercise on high-energy phosphates, force and EMG: evidence for three phases of recovery. Muscle Nerve 1987; 10 (9): 810–21

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Bogdanis GC, Nevill ME, Boobis LH, et al. Recovery of power output and muscle metabolites following 30s of maximal sprint cycling in man. J Physiol 1995; 482 (2): 467–80

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Sargeant AJ, Dolan P. Effect of prior exercise on maximal short term power output in humans. J Appl Physiol 1987 Oct; 63 (4): 1475–80

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Petersen SR, Cooke SR. Effects of endurance training on recovery from high intensity exercise. In: Bell FI, Van Gyn GH, editors. Proceedings of the 10th Commonwealth and International Scientific Congress; 1994 Aug 10–14; Victoria (BC). Victoria (BC): University of Victoria, Department of Physical Education, 1994: 227–31

    Google Scholar 

  25. Cooke SR, Petersen SR, Quinney HA. The influence of maximal aerobic power on recovery of skeletal muscle following anaerobic exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 1997; 75: 512–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Sahlin K, Ren JM. Relationship of contraction capacity to metabolic changes during recovery from a fatiguing contraction. J Appl Physiol 1989; 67 (2): 648–54

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Nevill ME, Bogdanis GC, Boobis LH, et al. Muscle metabolism and performance during sprinting. In: Maughan RJ, Shireffs SM, editors. Biochemistry of exercise IX. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 1996: 243–59

    Google Scholar 

  28. Dutka TL, Lamb GD. Effect of lactate on depolarisation-induced Ca2+ release in mechanically skinned skeletal muscle fibres. Am J Physiol 2000; 278 (3): C517–25

    Google Scholar 

  29. Vaughan-Jones RD, Eisner DA, Lederer WJ. Effects of changes of intracellular pH on contraction in sheep cardiac purkinje fibres. J Gen Physiol 1987; 89 (6): 1015–32

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Donaldson SKB. Effect of acidosis on maximal force generation of peeled mammalian skeletal fibres. In: Knuttgen HG, editor. Biochemistry of exercise. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 1983: 126–33

    Google Scholar 

  31. Donaldson S, Hermansen L, Bolles L. Differential effects of H+ on Ca2+ activated force of skinned fibres from the soleus, cardiac and adductor magnus muscles of rabbits. Pfluegers Arch 1978; 376 (1): 55–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Metzger JM, Moss RL. Greater hydrogen ion-induced depression of tension and velocity in skinned single fibres of rat fast than slow muscles. J Physiol 1987; 393: 727–42

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Fabiato A, Fabiato F. Effects of pH on the myofilaments and the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skinned cat cells from cardiac and skeletal muscles. J Physiol 1978; 276: 233–55

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Blanchard EM, Pan BS, Solaro RJ. The effect of acidic pH on the ATPase activity and tropinon Ca2+ binding of rabbit skeletal myofilaments. J Biol Chem 1984; 259 (5): 3181–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Ogawa Y. Calcium binding to tropinon C and tropinon: effects of Mg2+, ionic strength and pH. J Biochem (Tokyo) 1985; 97 (4): 1011–23

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Hill AV. The absolute value of isometric heat coefficient T1/H in a muscle twitch, and the effect of stimulation and fatigue. Proc Roy Soc 1928; B103: 163–70

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Spriet LL. Phosphofructokinase activity and acidosis during short term tetanic contractions. Can J Physiol Pharm 1991; 69 (2): 298–304

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Tokiwa T, Tonamora Y. The pre-steady state of the myosin adenosine triphosphate system. J Biochem (Tokyo) 1965; 57: 616–26

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Fitts RH. Substrate supply and energy metabolism during brief high intensity exercise: importance in limiting performance. In: Lamb DR, Gisolfi CV, editors. Energy metabolism in exercise and sports. Dubuque (IA): Browns Benchmark, 1992: 53–99

    Google Scholar 

  40. Ren JM, Hultman E. Regulation of phosphorylase activity in human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 1990; 69 (3): 919–23

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. McCully KK, Boden BP, Tuchler M, et al. Wrist flexor muscles of elite rowers measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. J Appl Physiol 1989; 75 (2): 813–9

    Google Scholar 

  42. McCully KK, Kakirira H, Vandenborne K, et al. Noninvasive measurements of activity-induced changes in muscle metabolism. J Biomech 1991; 24: 153–61

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Bangsbo J, Johansen L, Quistorff B, et al. NMR and analytical biochemical evaluation of CrP and nucleotides in the human calf during muscle contraction. J Appl Physiol 1993; 74 (4): 2034–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Blei ML, Conley KE, Kushmeric MJ. Separate measures of ATP utilisation and recovery in human skeletal muscle. J Physiol 1993; 465: 203–22

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Taylor DJ, Styles P, Matthews PM, et al. Energetics of human muscle: exercise-induced ATP depletion. Magn Reson Med 1986; 3 (1): 44–54

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Veech RL, Lawson JWR, Cornell NW, et al. Cytosolic phosphorylation potential. J Biol Chem 1979; 254 (14): 6538–47

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. McGilvery RW, Murray TW. Calculated equilibria of phosphocreatine and adenosine phosphates during utilisation of high energy phosphates by muscle. J Biol Chem 1974; 249 (18): 5845–50

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Matthews PM, Bland JL, Gadian DG, et al. 31P-NMR saturation transfer study of the regulation of creatine kinase in the rat heart. Biochim Biophys Acta 1982; 721 (3): 312–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Taylor DJ, Bore P, Styles P, et al. Bioenergetics of intact human muscle: a 31P nuclear magnetic resonance study. Mol Biol Med 1983; 1 (1): 77–94

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Arnold DL, Matthews PM, Radda GK. Metabolic recovery after exercise and the assessment of mitochondrial function in vivo in human skeletal muscle by means of 31P-NMR. Magn Reson Med 1984; 1 (3): 307–15

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Sahlin K, Soderlund K, Tonkonogi M, et al. Phosphocreatine content in single fibres of human muscle after sustained submaximal exercise. Am J Physiol 1997; 273 (42): C172–8

    Google Scholar 

  52. Di Prampero PE, Margaria R. Mechanical efficiency of phosphagen (ATP+CP) splitting and its speed of resynthesis. Pfluegers Arch 1969; 308 (3): 197–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Harris RC, Edwards RHT, Hultman E, et al. The time course of phosphorylcreatine resynthesis during recovery of the quadriceps muscle in man. Pfluegers Arch 1976; 367 (2): 137–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Mahler M. First-order kinetics of muscle oxygen consumption, and an equivalent proportionality between QO2 and phosphorylcreatine level. J Gen Physiol 1985; 86: 135–65

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Meyer RAA. Linear model of muscle respiration explains mono-exponential phosphocreatine changes. Am J Physiol 1988; 254 (4 Pt 1): C548–53

    Google Scholar 

  56. Nevill AM, Jones DA, McIntyre D, et al. A model for phosphocreatine resynthesis. J Appl Physiol 1997; 82 (1): 329–35

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Newcomer BR, Boska MD, Hetherington HP. Non-Pi buffer and initial phosphocreatine breakdown and resynthesis kinetics of human gastrocnemius/soleus muscle groups using 0.5 s time-resolved 31P MRS at 4.1 T. NMR Biomed 1999; 12: 545–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Sahlin K, Harris RC, Hultman E. Creatine kinase equilibrium and lactate content compared with muscle pH in tissue samples obtained after isometric exercise. Biochem J 1975; 152 (2): 173–80

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Sahlin K, Harris RC, Hultman E. Resynthesis of creatine phosphate in human muscle after exercise in relation to intramuscular pH and availability of oxygen. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1979; 39 (6): 551–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Bendahan D, Confort-Gouny S, Kozak-Reiss G, et al. Heterogeneity of metabolic response to muscular exercise in humans: new criteria of invariance derived by phosphorus-31 NMR spectroscopy. FEBS Lett 1990; 272 (1,2): 155–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Quistorff B, Johansen L, Sahlin K. Absence of phosphocreatine resynthesis in human calf muscle during ischaemic recovery. Biochem J 1992; 291: 681–6

    Google Scholar 

  62. Lodi R, Kemp GJ, Iotti S, et al. Influence of cytosolic pH on in vivo assessment of human muscle mitochondrial respiration by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. MAGMA 1997; 5: 165–71

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Roussell M, Bendahan D, Mattei JP, et al. 31P Magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of phosphocreatine recovery kinetics in skeletal muscle: the issue of inter-subject variability. Biochim Biophys Acta 2000; 1457: 18–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Margaria R, Edwards HT, Dill DB, The possible mechanism of contracting and paying the oxygen debt and the role of lactic acid in muscular contraction. Am J Physiol 1933; 106: 689–715

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Piiper J, Spiller P.Repayment of O2 debt and resynthesis of high energy phosphates in gastrocnemius muscle of the dog. J Appl Physiol 1970; 28 (5): 657–62

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Gollnick PD, King DW. Effects of exercise and training on mitochondria of rat skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol 1969; 216 (6): 1502–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Gollnick PD, Armstrong RB, Saubert CW, et al. Enzyme activity and fibre composition in skeletal muscle of untrained and trained men. J Appl Physiol 1972; 33 (3): 312–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Dawson B, Goodman C, Lawrence S, et al. Muscle phosphocreatine repletion following single and repeated short sprint efforts. Scand J Med Sci Sports 1997; 7: 206–13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Andersen P. Capillary density in skeletal muscle of man. Acta Physiol Scand 1975; 95 (2): 203–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Andersen P, Henriksson J. Capillary supply of the quadriceps femoris muscle of man: adaptive response to exercise. J Physiol 1977; 270 (3): 677–90

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Miller RG, Green AT, Moussavi RS, et al. Excessive muscular fatigue in patients with spastic paraparesis. Neurology 1990; 40 (8): 1271–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Miller RG, Sharma KR, Mynhier M, et al. Evidence of an abnormal intramuscular component of fatigue in multiple sclerosis [abstract]. Neurology 1993; 43: 204

    Google Scholar 

  73. Kent-Braun JA, Sharma KR, Miller RG, et al. Postexercise phosphocreatine resynthesis is slowed in multiple sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 1994; 17 (8): 835–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Wackerhage H, Hoffman U, Essfeld D, et al. Recovery of free ADP, Pi, and free energy of ATP hydrolysis in human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 1998; 85 (6): 2140–5

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Brindle KM, Blackledge MJ, John Challis RA, et al. 31P-NMR magnetization-transfer measurements of ATP turnover during steady-state isometric muscle contraction in the rat hind limb in vivo. Biochemistry 1989; 28 (11): 4887–93

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Kemp GJ, Taylor DJ, Radda GK. Control of phosphocreatine resynthesis from exercise in human skeletal muscle. NMR Biomed 1983; 6 (1): 66–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Radda GK, Kemp GJ, Styles P, et al. Control of oxidative phosphorylation in muscle. Biochem Soc Trans 1993; 21 (3 Pt 3): 762–4

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Jacobus WE, Moreadith RW, Vandegaer KM. Mitochondrial respiratory control: evidence against the regulation of respiration by extra-mitochondrial phosphorylation potentials or by [ATP]/[ADP] ratios. J Biol Chem 1982; 257 (5): 2397–402

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Constable SH, Favier RJ, McLane JA, et al. Energy metabolism in contracting rat skeletal muscle: adaptation to exercise training. Am J Physiol 1987; 252: C316–22

    Google Scholar 

  80. Dudley GA, Tullson PC, Terjung RL. Influence of mitochondrial content on the sensitivity of respiratory control. J Biol Chem 1987; 262 (19): 9109–14

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Barstow TJ, Buchthal SD, Zanconato S, et al. Changes in potential controllers of human muscle respiration during incremental calf exercise. J Appl Physiol 1994; 77 (5): 2169–76

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Krause V, Wegener G. Exercise and recovery in frog muscle: Metabolism of PCr, adenine nucleotides and related compounds. Am J Physiol 1996; 270 (4 Pt 2): R811–20

    Google Scholar 

  83. McCully KK, Vandenborne K, DeMeirleir K, et al. Muscle metabolism in track athletes, using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1992; 70: 1353–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Paganini AT, Foley JM, Meyer RA. Linear dependence of muscle phosphocreatine kinetics on oxidative capacity. Am J Physiol 1997; 272 (41): C501–10

    Google Scholar 

  85. Radda GK, Bore PJ, Gadian DG, et al. 31P NMR examination of two patients with NADH-CoQ reductase deficiency. Nature 1982; 295 (5850): 608–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Yoshida T, Watari H. Metabolic consequences of repeated exercise in long distance runners. Eur J Appl Physiol 1993; 67: 261–5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. McMahon S, Wenger HA. The relationship between aerobic fitness and both power output and subsequent recovery during maximal intermittent exercise. J Sci Med Sport 1998; 1 (4): 219–27

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Davis CTM, Sargent AJ. Effects of training on the physiological responses to one and two legged work. J Appl Physiol 1975; 38: 377–81

    Google Scholar 

  89. Gleser MA. Effects of hypoxia and physical training on hemodynamic adjustments to one-legged exercise. J Appl Physiol 1973; 34 (5): 655–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia

    Shaun McMahon & David Jenkins

Authors
  1. Shaun McMahon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David Jenkins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shaun McMahon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McMahon, S., Jenkins, D. Factors Affecting the Rate of Phosphocreatine Resynthesis Following Intense Exercise. Sports Med 32, 761–784 (2002). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200232120-00002

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200232120-00002

Keywords

Search

Navigation