Serum creatinine values in elite athletes competing in 8 different sports: comparison with sedentary people

The concn. of creatinine in serum is the most widely used and commonly accepted measure of renal function in clin. medicine. The common ref. interval for creatinine in the general population corresponds to 62-115 mmol/L (0.7-1.3 mg/dL) for adult males, compared with near or higher than 115 mmol/L (1.3 mg/dL) for athletes. Serum creatinine values in 220 elite athletes (all males aged 17-36 years) competing in eight different sports (triathlon, cycling, motorcycle racing, basketball, soccer, sailing, alpine skiing, and rugby) were measured and compared with those in sedentary individuals. Mean creatinine values of 97 mmol/L were found in the athletes and 88 mmol/L in controls. These values differ between each group of athletes in the different sports and the control group, but tend to be higher in athletes than in controls because of the former's higher muscle mass. The only exceptions were endurance athletes (Nordic skiers and cyclists), who showed creatinine values lower than controls: 71-88 mmol/L for skiers and 62-80 mmol/L for cyclists. [on SciFinder (R)]