Creatine May Not Improve Muscle Fatigue

Creatine May Not Improve Muscle Fatigue

POMONA, Calif.--Creatine may not improve muscle fatigue, according to new research published in Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise (33,8:1304-1301) (www.ms-se.com). Researchers at the California State Polytechnic University, based here, worked with colleagues from the University of Georgia, Athens, to study dietary creatine supplementation and muscle performance through mechanical and hypertrophic responses.

The eight-week, randomized, double blind study involved 18 subjects in three groups: creatine loading (20 g/d for seven days), creatine supplementation (5 g/day) or placebo. Subjects were instructed to continue their resistance training throughout the trial, and researchers applied eloectromyostimulation (EMS) to each person's left quadricep muscle twice per week. Torque during EMS was analyzed to assess muscle loading and fatigue resistance.

Results demonstrated that creatine supplementation did not enhance the mechanical or hypertrophic response to EMS specifically, although subjects reported that creatine reduced but did not eliminate fatigue. Researchers concluded that abating muscle fatigue may not be linked to heightened athletic performance through creatine supplementation.