The effect of 4 Recovery techniques post competitive rugby matches on plasma creatine kinase.

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RUGBY – Recovery testing (Creatine Kinase levels)

Waikato Rugby Club N.Z.

The effect of 4 Recovery techniques post competitive rugby matches on plasma creatine kinase. N.Gill. Study compiled from data obtained from investigation by Nicholas Gill PhD, Senior Lecturer, Exercise Physiology and Physical Conditioning Centre, Sport and Exercise Science, Waikato Institute of Technology – Head Conditioning Trainer for Waikato Chiefs and Waikato Rugby. Data in Fig1 and Fig 2 included as supplied.

Findings. Over 24 hours post match the best reduction in concentration percentage of CK was by donning Skins for 4 hours post match which showed a reduction of 29.33%, with active recovery at 25.37% and hot and cold emersion baths at 23.18%. Passive recovery showed a 6.69% improvement of CK levels at 24 hours. At 72 hours, active recovery increased overall to have the best 72hour reduction of CK concentration of 47.13%. Wearing Skins for 4 hours post game showed a reduction of 37.18% and emersion hot and cold baths post game was slightly behind with 35.37%. Passive recovery only showed a reduction at 72 hours of 16.66%. Donning Skins post game showed the best results at 24 hours, particularly where matches are not played at home with ability to undertake either an appropriate warm-down or emersion bathing. Further studies are being carried out to evaluate the effect of Skins and active recovery and with emersion baths. Methods. After four competition matches players from Waikato Rugby Club were tested by blood sampling for serum Creatine Kinase levels (CK) and four different methods of recovery were undertaken. The recovery process included active recovery (AR) of 45 minutes duration of light running, walking and stretching exercises; passive recovery (PR) where no activity but rest was undertaken post match and for the next 72 hours; Hot and Cold emersion baths (HCB) and donning Skins long compression tights (Skins) for four hours post match. CK levels were taken pregame after warm-up, post game, then at 24 hours and again at 72 hours post game. Results. Testing was carried out randomly on players not reporting injury post match. Players did not report any symptoms likely to give rise to elevated CK levels from any existing medical condition. Study 4 Waikato Rugby continued page –2-


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