Creatine kinase, neuromuscular fatigue, and the contact codes of football: A systematic review and meta-analysis of pre- and post-match differences

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#athletes #athletic-performance #creatine-kinase #football #humans

Creatine kinase, neuromuscular fatigue, and the contact codes of football: A systematic review and meta-analysis of pre- and post-match differences

Hagstrom et al., 2018 | Eur J Sport Sci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Hagstrom Amanda D, Shorter Kathleen A. Creatine kinase, neuromuscular fatigue, and the contact codes of football: A systematic review and meta-analysis of pre- and post-match differences. Eur J Sport Sci. 2018-Oct;18(9):1234-1244. doi:10.1080/17461391.2018.1480661

Abstract

Physiological or performance tests are routinely utilised to assess athletes' recovery. At present, the ideal tool to assess recovery remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to examine the change in creatine kinase (CK) and neuromuscular function as measured via a countermovement jump (CMJ) following a match in the contact codes of football. A comprehensive search of databases was undertaken with RevMan (V 5.3) used for statistical analysis. Our results demonstrated that CK pre- versus post-match (standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.50 to 1.31, p < .0001), CK pre- versus 24 h post-match (SMD = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.12 to 1.88, p < .00001), and CK pre- versus 48 h post-match all increased significantly (SMD = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.50 to 1.31, p < .0001), while CMJ peak power (PP) pre- versus post-match (SMD = -0.59, 95% CI = -1.12 to -0.06, p = .03), and pre- versus 24 h post-match (SMD = -0.80, 95% CI = -1.31 to -0.28, p = .002) decreased significantly. There was a significant relationship between the change in CK and the change in CMJ PP from immediately pre to immediately post (r = -0.924, p = .025), and between CMJ immediately following a match and 24 h CK change (r = -0.983, p = .017). In conclusion, CK levels increase and performance in the CMJ decreases following a match of a contact code of football. The identification of this relationship may allow coaching staff to implement a standalone measure of recovery.

Key Findings

The identification of this relationship may allow coaching staff to implement a standalone measure of recovery.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Athletes
  • Athletic Performance
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Football
  • Humans
  • Muscle Fatigue

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09