Effect of creatine loading on neuromuscular fatigue threshold

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of creatine ( Cr) loading on the onset of neuromuscular fatigue by monitoring electromyog raphic fatigue curves from the vastus lateralis muscle using the physical w orking capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWCFT) test. Using a double-blind random design, 15 women athletes [mean age 19.0 +/- 2.0 (SD) yr] from the university crew team received a placebo (n = 8; 20 g glucose) or Cr (n = 7; 5 g Cr monohydrate + 20 g glucose) four times per day for 5 consecutive da ys. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data (covaried for presu pplementation PWCFT values). The adjusted mean postsupplementation PWCFT va lue for the Cr group (mean = 186 W) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher tha n that of the placebo group (mean = 155 W). These findings suggest that Cr loading may delay the onset of neuromuscular fatigue.