Effects of Physical Activity on Creatine Phosphokinase and the Isoenzyme Creatine Kinase–MB, ,

Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatine kinaseMB (CK-MB) have been used extensively as diagnostic markers for myocardial infarction and skeletal muscle injury. Many factors affect the variability of serum CPK and serum CK-MB activity, especially physical activity. We discuss the influence of physical activity on muscle and serum CPK and CK-MB. The effect of acute and chronic exercise on CPK and CK-MB activity emphasizes the need to use measurements of serum CPK and CK-MB with caution when evaluating and diagnosing acute myocardial infarctions and skeletal muscle injury.