The effects of creatine supplementation on high-intensity exercise performance in elite performers

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine whether creatine supplementation at a dose of 20 g x day(-1), given in 4 x 6-g doses (5 g creatine monohydrate and 1 g glucose) for 5 days, was effective in improving kayak ergometer performances of different durations. Sixteen male subjects with the following characteristics [mean (SEM)]: age 21 (1.2) years, height 170.2 (1.7) cm, weight 75.3 (2.3) kg, sigma8 skinfolds 59.3 (2.6) mm, and maximal oxygen consumption 67.1 +/- (4.3) ml x kg x min(-1), undertook three maximal kayak ergometer tests of 90, 150 and 300 s duration on a wind-braked kayak ergometer (CON). Two groups were then randomly formed, with one group taking the supplement (SUP) while the other took a placebo (PLAC). No pre-test differences existed between the SUP and the PLAC groups in any of the variables measured. After supplementation each group then repeated the same kayak ergometer tests as performed previously and after a 4-week "washout period" the groups took either the PLAC or SUP for another 5 days and then completed the final tests. The SUP group completed significantly more work than either the CON or PLAC groups in all of the tests (90 s, P < 0.01; 150 s, P < 0.001; 300 s, P < 0.05). Body mass remained stable throughout the test period in both the CON and PLAC groups, but both were significantly less than the SUP body mass of 77.3 (1.0) kg (P < 0.01). The results of this work indicate that creatine supplementation can significantly increase the amount of work accomplished during kayak ergometer performance at durations ranging from 90 to 300 s.

Influence of creatine supplementation on 800 m wheelchair performance: a pilot study

“…Possibly, the differences in total muscles mass involved during kayaking compared to wheelchair racing seemed to be of higher impact than expected and might be responsible for the reported discrepancies concerning an ergogenic effect. Moreover, lactate concentrations were not influenced by creatine supplementation in the present study, which supports the hypothesis that the glycolytic pathways were unaltered by creatine supplementation as proposed by Birch et al 2 Many studies in the past reported positive effects on performance of different types and durations after a short-term creatine supplementation, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]21 whereas others found no effect. 16,[22][23][24][25][26] Interestingly, in most of the studies showing no ergogenic effect on exercise performance after creatine supplementation, a time or distance trial was performed, [22][23][24][25][26] whereas in studies with a positive effect the time to exhaustion at a given workload was determined.…”

“…Further, creatine supplementation enhanced exercise performance in elite kayak paddlers during time trials between 90 and 300 s duration. 7 As during the propulsion of a wheelchair, less but similar muscle groups are involved as during kayaking, a positive ergogenic effect of a creatine supplementation was also expected during an all-out 800 m wheelchair test, a hypothesis that was not confirmed by our study. Possibly, the differences in total muscles mass involved during kayaking compared to wheelchair racing seemed to be of higher impact than expected and might be responsible for the reported discrepancies concerning an ergogenic effect.…”

“…1,7,23,30 Interestingly, one study with women only found a small, nonsignificant increase in body mass compared to placebo. 31 This could possibly be due to their smaller muscle mass.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] In general, enhanced performance was found in repetitive, high-intensity, short-term exercise tasks. Furthermore, creatine was successfully used also in patients with chronic heart failure, mitochondrial cytopathies and neuromuscular disease.…”

The Effects of a Combined Supplementation of Creatine and Sodium Bicarbonate on Repeated Sprint Performance

“…Current research has shown that ingesting sodium bicarbonate may enhance aspects of sprint performance such as power output, total anaerobic work, and delaying fatigue (7,8,32,38,39,40,41,42,65). Lavender and Bird (1989), and Bishop et al (2004Bishop et al ( -2005, concluded that sodium bicarbonate supplementation improved power output levels in repeated sprints.…”