Objective. The aim of this study was to compare the acute changes in muscle pain and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity following the ‘up' and ‘down' Comrades marathon.
Design. This was a quasi-experimental design. Eleven male runners (39.7±9.3 years) completed the ‘up' Comrades marathon, and 11 male runners (41.0±8.4 years) completed the ‘down' Comrades marathon the following year. Maximum oxygen consumption
and peak treadmill running speed were measured 2 weeks before the race. Daily measurements of muscle pain and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity were recorded 1 day before, and for 7 days after the race.
Results. Muscle pain remained significantly elevated for up to 7 days after the Comrades marathon, compared with pre-race values (
