![Sample our Food Science & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5936/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Food-Science-Technology.jpg"})
Abstract
Creatine, a natural nutrient found in animal foods, is alleged to be an effective nutritional ergogenic aid to enhance sport or exercise performance. Research suggests that oral creatine monohydrate supplementation may increase total muscle creatine [TCr], including both free creatine [FCr] and phosphocreatine [PCr]. Some, but not all, studies suggest that creatine supplementation may enhance performance in high-intensity, short-term exercise tasks that are dependent primarily on PCr (i. e., <30 seconds), particularly laboratory tests involving repeated exercise bouts with limited recovery time between repetitions; additional corroborative research is needed regarding its ergogenic potential in actual field exercise performance tasks dependent on PCr.
Creatine supplementation has not consistently been shown to enhance performance in exercise tasks dependent on anaerobic glycolysis, but additional laboratory and field research is merited. Additionally, creatine supplementation has not been shown to enhance performance in exercise tasks dependent on aerobic glycolysis, but additional research is warranted, particularly on the effect of chronic supplementation as an aid to training for improvement in competitive performance.
Short-term creatine supplementation appears to increase body mass in males, although the initial increase is most likely water. Chronic creatine supplementation, in conjunction with physical training involving resistance exercise, may increase lean body mass. However, confirmatory research data are needed.
Creatine supplementation up to 8 weeks has not been associated with major health risks, but the safety of more prolonged creatine supplementation has not been established.
Creatine is currently legal and its use by athletes is not construed as doping.
Key teaching points:
• Phosphocreatine (PCr) is a major source of muscular energy during short-term, high-intensity exercise bouts lasting from approximately 2 to 30 seconds.
• Creatine supplementation, particularly with concomitant carbohydrate intake, may significantly increase intramuscular [TCr], [FCr], and [PCr], particularly in those consuming meat-free diets.
• In general, research supports the finding that creatine supplementation may enhance performance in certain repetitive, high-intensity, short-term exercise tasks.
• Research findings do not generally support an ergogenic effect of short-term creatine supplementation on exercise tasks dependent on anaerobic or aerobic glycolysis, but recommended research includes possible ergogenic effects associated with interaction effects of concomitant chronic physical training and creatine supplementation.
• Short-term creatine supplementation, up to 8 weeks, has not been associated with major health risks, but few safety data are available regarding chronic supplementation protocols.
• Creatine supplementation has not been prohibited by athletic governing bodies, so its use is currently regarded as legal.
Key teaching points:
• Phosphocreatine (PCr) is a major source of muscular energy during short-term, high-intensity exercise bouts lasting from approximately 2 to 30 seconds.
• Creatine supplementation, particularly with concomitant carbohydrate intake, may significantly increase intramuscular [TCr], [FCr], and [PCr], particularly in those consuming meat-free diets.
• In general, research supports the finding that creatine supplementation may enhance performance in certain repetitive, high-intensity, short-term exercise tasks.
• Research findings do not generally support an ergogenic effect of short-term creatine supplementation on exercise tasks dependent on anaerobic or aerobic glycolysis, but recommended research includes possible ergogenic effects associated with interaction effects of concomitant chronic physical training and creatine supplementation.
• Short-term creatine supplementation, up to 8 weeks, has not been associated with major health risks, but few safety data are available regarding chronic supplementation protocols.
• Creatine supplementation has not been prohibited by athletic governing bodies, so its use is currently regarded as legal.
