Creatine loading does not impact on stroke performance in tennis

The effect of acute creatine supplementation on stroke quality was investig ated during simulated match play. Well-trained tennis players reported to t he test center on two occasions. On each occasion they performed the Leuven Tennis Performance Test (LTPT) and a 70 m shuttle run (SHR). During 5 days prior to each test session they received in random order and according to a double-blind cross-over study design either oral creatine supplements (4 x 5 g per day) or placebo. The two experimental periods were separated by a 5-week washout period. Stroke quality was evaluated during the LTPT by mea ns of registration of error rate and measurement of ball velocity and preci sion of lateral and longitudinal ball placement. Compared with placebo, cre atine supplementation did not significantly impact on either power or preci sion of first and second services, baseline strokes in neutral and defensiv e rallies, and volleys. Shuttle run time was 19.87 +/- 0.30 sec during plac ebo venus 19.85 +/- 0.27 sec during creatine treatment. Acute creatine supp lementation does not enhance stroke performance or sprint power in match-li ke conditions in elite tennis players.