What role does CRP Entzündung play in Sport?

CRP (C-reactive protein) is a non-specific inflammatory marker whose role in sports is nuanced. Acute exercise, especially eccentric muscle actions, can transiently raise CRP as part of the normal immune response to microtrauma. Conversely, chronic endurance training tends to lower baseline CRP, reflecting improved cardiovascular health. However, the evidence is moderate: most data come from observational studies, and CRP alone is a weak predictor for individual training adjustments. Consumer tests often overstate CRP's utility, marketing it as a direct 'inflammation score' without clinical context. A single elevated CRP may indicate overtraining, infection, or simply recent exercise. Safety note: persistent CRP >10 mg/L warrants medical evaluation. For athletes, CRP is not a practical training guide; perceived exertion, heart rate variability, and recovery markers are more actionable. In summary, CRP reflects systemic inflammation but lacks specificity for sport-specific decisions.