EFFECT OF ORAL CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON MUSCLE [PCR] AND SHORT-TERM MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT

Our purpose was to determine the effect of creatine supplementation on power output during a 30-s maximal cycling (Wingate) test. Nine males underwent 3 randomly ordered tests following ingestion of a creatine supplementation (CRE), placebo (PLA), and control (CON). CRE was inges ted as creatine monohydrate (Cr . H2O) dissolved in a flavored drink ( 20g . d(-1) for 3 d), while PLA consisted of the drink only. Tests wer e performed 14 d apart on a Monarch ergometer modified for immediate r esistance loading. Needle biopsies were taken from the vastus laterali s at the end of each treatment period and before the exercise lest. No difference was found between conditions for peak, mean 10-s, and mean 30-s power output, percent fatigue, or postexercise blood lactate con centration. Similarly, no difference between conditions was observed f or ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr), or total creatine (TCr); however, the T Cr/ATP was higher in the CRE condition (P < 0.05) than in the CON and PLA conditions. Findings suggest that 3 d of oral Cr supplementation d oes not increase resting muscle PCr concentration and has no effect on performance during a single short-term maximal cycling task.