Effects of in-season (5 weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance and body composition in American football players

The purpose of this investigation was to study the efficacy of two dietary supplements on measures of body mass, body composition, and performance in 42 American football players. Group CM (n = 9) received creatine monohydrat e, Group P (n = 11) received calcium pyruvate, Group COM (n = 11) received a combination of calcium pyruvate (60%) and creatine (40%), and Group PL re ceived a placebo. Tests were performed before (T1) and after (n) the 5-week supplementation period, during which the subjects continued their normal t raining schedules. Compared to P and PL, CM and COM showed significantly gr eater increases for body mass, lean body mass, 1 repetition maximum (RM) be nch press, combined 1 RM squat and bench press, and static vertical jump (S VJ) power output. Peak rate of force development for SVJ was significantly greater for CM compared to P and PL. Creatine and the combination supplemen t enhanced training adaptations associated with body mass/composition, maxi mum strength, and SVJ; however, pyruvate supplementation alone was ineffect ive.