Plasma activity of muscle enzymes: quantification of skeletal muscle damage and relationship with metabolic variables

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine Vol. 10 Suppl 3; p. S160
• Main Authors: Janssen, G M, Kuipers, H, Willems, G M, Does, R J, Janssen, M P, Geurten, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.10.1989
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Alanine Transaminase - blood; Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood; Creatine Kinase - blood; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Half-Life; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscles - enzymology; Muscles - injuries; Physical Endurance; Physical Exertion; Running - injuries
• ISSN: 0172-4622; 1439-3964
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024966

One hundred fourteen sedentary volunteers (34 +/- 8 years) took part in an endurance training study to be completed after 18-20 months with a marathon. Ultimately, 60 males and 18 females achieved that goal. The training program, carefully supervised, was divided into three periods with a maximum of 45-, 70-, and 110-km week training volume and concluded with a performance race of 15, 25, and 42.2 km, respectively. Three days before and 3 and 5 days after each race, 35 subjects were selected to perform a progressive treadmill test and the remaining subjects participated in field tests of 400 and 1000 m. A significant decrease in half-life time of CK enzyme plasma activity after running long distances in the course of the study from 20 h to 13 h was observed. Based on plasma enzyme activity and supposing that the total enzyme content left the muscle fiber, the estimated amount of muscle damage was found to be small. A gender difference in plasma enzyme activity increase (females demonstrated a lower increase) occurred only after the marathon.