Use of creatine and other supplements by members of civilian and military health clubs: A cross-sectional survey

A survey was used to collect anonymous cross-sectional data on demographics , exercise habits, and use of creatine and other supplements by exercisers in civilian (C) and military (M) health clubs. M (n = 133) reported more ae robic training and less use of creatine and protein supplements than C (n = 96, p < .05). Supplement users (SU, n = 194) and nonusers (SNU, n = 35) en gaged in similar frequency and duration of aerobic exercise, as well as num ber of resistance exercise repetitions, but SU completed more sets for each resistance exercise ((x) over bar +/- SE, 5 +/- 1) than SNU (3 +/- 1, p le ss than or equal to .05). Significant (p less than or equal to .05) associa tions were observed between SU and resistance training goal of strength (as opposed to endurance), as well as greater frequency of resistance training . Male gender, resistance training goal of strength, lower frequency and du ration of aerobic training, and use of protein, beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl bu tyrate, and androstenedione/dehydroepiandrosterone supplements were all ass ociated with creatine use (p < .05). For creatine users, the dose and lengt h of creatine supplementation was 12.2 +/- 2.7 g . day(-1) for 40 +/- 5 wee ks. Popular magazines were the primary source of information on creatine (6 9%) compared to physicians (14%) or dietitians (10%, p less than or equal t o .0001). This study underscores two potential public health concerns: (a) reliance on popular media rather than allied-health professionals for infor mation on creatine, and (b) use of creatine, a popular supplement with unkn own long-term effects, in combination with other anabolic supplements of qu estionable efficacy and/or safety.