The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Repeated Upper- and Lower-Body Wingate Performance

Abstract

Nineteen physically active men supplemented their diet with 20 g per day creatine monohydrate (Cr group) or placebo (PI group) for 6 days. Before and after supplementation, subjects performed 3 arm Wingates (AW1, AW2, and AW3) and 3 leg Wingates (LW1, LW2, and LW3) on consecutive days. Wingates were separated by 2 minutes each. Mean power (MP), peak power (PP), and percent decrease (%D) were compared between and within groups. MP did not change significantly for arms or legs. PP did not change significantly for legs. PP increased significantly in the Cr group (AW1) and for the P1 group (AW1 and AW3). MP and PP were not significantly different between groups. The %D increased significantly in the P1 group (AW1, AW3, and LW3). For the Cr group, %D decreased significantly (pre vs. post) and was significantly lower than for the P1 group (LW2-post). Results suggest that short-term Cr supplementation does not enhance MP and PP during repeated upper- and lower-body Wingate tests when not accompanied by an increase in body weight. However, changes in %D suggest possible ergogenic effects.

Reliability and Validity of the Velotron Racermate Cycle Ergometer to Measure Anaerobic Power

“…Variables obtained from the Wingate test including peak power (PP), mean power (MP), minimum power (Pmin), and fatigue index (FI) have been used to estimate anaerobic capacity [ 18 ] . Furthermore, Wingatederived measurements have been used to predict success in sport [ 9 ] as well as to assess the efficacy of various training regimens [ 3 , 10 ] and identify potential benefi ts of various ergogenic aids including creatine [ 4 ] and caff eine [ 5 ] . Despite these widespread uses, Wingate-derived anaerobic power may be unrelated to anaerobic capacity, defi ned as the maximal amount of ATP produced anaerobically, as recently shown [ 14 ] .…”

Creatine, Arginine α-Ketoglutarate, Amino Acids, and Medium-Chain Triglycerides and Endurance and Performance

“…The effects of Cr supplementation on Wingate cycle performance are mixed, with some studies showing a positive effect (Okudan & Gokbel, 2005) and others not observing the same benefits (Deutekom, Beltman, de Ruiter, de Koning, & de Haan, 2000;Green, McLester, Smith, & Mansfield, 2001). For example, Okudan and Gokbel reported that Cr supplementation (20 g/day for 6 days) in untrained men led to improvements in peak power and total work output during five repeated Wingate cycling tests.…”

The Effects of Polyethylene Glycosylated Creatine Supplementation on Anaerobic Performance Measures and Body Composition

“…In particular, it has been demonstrated that short-term loading (20-25 g · d -1, 5-7 days) or long-term chronic doses (3 g· d -1 , ≥30 days) of creatine monohydrate (CM) can lead to improvements in one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength, muscular endurance, anaerobic power, speed, and sprinting performance (5,15,17,19,22,24,25,(32)(33)(34)36). Traditionally, the methods used to assess these variables include dynamic constant external resistance exercises (i.e., free weights, weight machines) and anaerobic performance measures such as the Wingate test (5,15,19). In addition, the majority of these studies (5,15,17,19,22,24,25,(32)(33)(34)36) have included resistance training during the supplementation period and have used cycle ergometry, not running, to assess sprinting performance.…”

“…Traditionally, the methods used to assess these variables include dynamic constant external resistance exercises (i.e., free weights, weight machines) and anaerobic performance measures such as the Wingate test (5,15,19). In addition, the majority of these studies (5,15,17,19,22,24,25,(32)(33)(34)36) have included resistance training during the supplementation period and have used cycle ergometry, not running, to assess sprinting performance. There are limited data, however, regarding the influence of creatine supplementation on standardized field assessments of power, lateral speed, agility, and change-of-direction ability that are commonly used to predict athletic performance.…”