Js. Volek et al., CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ENHANCES MUSCULAR PERFORMANCE DURING HIGH-INTENSITY RESISTANCE EXERCISE, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 97(7), 1997, pp. 765-770
Objective This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of or
al supplementation with creatine monohydrate on muscular performance d
uring repeated sets of high-intensity resistance exercise. Subjects/de
sign Fourteen active men were randomly assigned in a double-blind fash
ion to either a creatine group (n=7) or a placebo group (n=7). Both gr
oups performed a bench press exercise protocol (5 sets to failure usin
g each subject's predetermined 10-repetition maximum) and a jump squat
exercise protocol (5 sets of 10 repetitions using 30% of each subject
's 1-repetition maximum squat) on three different occasions (T1, T2, a
nd T3) separated by 6 days. Intervention Before T1, both groups receiv
ed no supplementation. From T1 to T2, both groups ingested placebo cap
sules. From T2 to T3, the creatine group ingested 25 g creatine monohy
drate per day, and the placebo group ingested an equivalent amount of
placebo. Main outcome measures Total repetitions for each set of bench
presses and peak power output for each set of jump squats were determ
ined. Other measures included assessment of diet, body mass, skinfold
thickness, and preexercise and 5-minute postexercise lactate concentra
tions. Results Lifting performance was not altered for either exercise
protocol after ingestion of the placebos. Creatine supplementation re
sulted in a significant improvement in peak power output during all 5
sets of jump squats and a significant improvement in repetitions durin
g all 5 sets of bench presses. After creatine supplementation, postexe
rcise lactate concentrations were significantly higher after the bench
press but not the jump squat. A significant increase in body mass of
1.4 kg (range= 0.0 to 2.7 kg) was observed after creatine ingestion. C
onclusion One week of creatine supplementation (25 g/day) enhances mus
cular performance during repeated sets of bench press and jump squat e
xercise.