Can hsCRP help with Sport?

hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is an inflammation marker that can be used in sports to monitor recovery, overtraining, and infection. Acute exercise transiently raises hsCRP, while regular endurance training lowers baseline levels. However, hsCRP is not a direct performance indicator – individual variability is high, and many factors (sleep, diet, stress) influence the value. For athletes, serial measurements may help detect inflammation trends, but a single reading has limited utility. Consumer tests often overstate benefits. Evidence is based on observational and mechanistic studies; randomized controlled trials for direct performance enhancement are lacking. Bottom line: hsCRP can be part of a comprehensive monitoring approach but does not replace established training guidance.