Does oral creatine supplementation improve strength? A meta-analysis
- PMID: 12485548
Does oral creatine supplementation improve strength? A meta-analysis
Abstract
Objectives: Oral creatine is the most widely used nutritional supplement among athletes. Our purpose was to investigate whether creatine supplementation increases maximal strength and power in healthy adults.
Study design: Meta-analysis of existing literature.
Data sources: We searched MEDLINE (1966-2000) and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (through June 2001) to locate relevant articles. We reviewed conference proceedings and bibliographies of identified studies. An expert in the field was contacted for sources of unpublished data. Randomized or matched placebo controlled trials comparing creatine supplementation with placebo in healthy adults were considered.
Outcomes measured: Presupplementation and postsupplementation change in maximal weight lifted, cycle ergometry sprint peak power, and isokinetic dynamometer peak torque were measured.
Results: Sixteen studies were identified for inclusion. The summary difference in maximum weight lifted was 6.85 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.24-8.47) greater after creatine than placebo for bench press and 9.76 kg (95% CI, 3.37-16.15) greater for squats; there was no difference for arm curls. In 7 of 10 studies evaluating maximal weight lifted, subjects were young men (younger than 36 years) engaged in resistance training. There was no difference in cycle ergometer or isokinetic dynamometer performance.
Conclusions: Oral creatine supplementation combined with resistance training increases maximal weight lifted in young men. There is no evidence for improved performance in older individuals or women or for other types of strength and power exercises. Also, the safety of creatine remains unproven. Therefore, until these issues are addressed, its use cannot be universally recommended.
Similar articles
-
Effects of creatine supplementation on the onset of neuromuscular fatigue threshold and muscle strength in elderly men and women (64 - 86 years).J Nutr Health Aging. 2007 Nov-Dec;11(6):459-64. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007. PMID: 17985060 Clinical Trial.
-
Impact of differing protein sources and a creatine containing nutritional formula after 12 weeks of resistance training.Nutrition. 2007 Sep;23(9):647-56. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2007.06.015. Nutrition. 2007. PMID: 17679046 Clinical Trial.
-
Effects of creatine supplementation on renal function.J Herb Pharmacother. 2004;4(1):1-7. J Herb Pharmacother. 2004. PMID: 15273072 Review.
-
Scientific basis and practical aspects of creatine supplementation for athletes.Nutrition. 2004 Jul-Aug;20(7-8):609-14. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2004.04.014. Nutrition. 2004. PMID: 15212742 Review.
-
Effects of creatine loading and prolonged creatine supplementation on body composition, fuel selection, sprint and endurance performance in humans.Clin Sci (Lond). 2003 Feb;104(2):153-62. doi: 10.1042/CS20020159. Clin Sci (Lond). 2003. PMID: 12546637
Cited by
-
Vegan and Omnivorous High Protein Diets Support Comparable Daily Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates and Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy in Young Adults.J Nutr. 2023 Jun;153(6):1680-1695. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.02.023. Epub 2023 Feb 22. J Nutr. 2023. PMID: 36822394 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Effects of Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplement and Caffeine on Bench Press Performance: A Single-Blind Cross-Over Study.Nutrients. 2022 Apr 22;14(9):1750. doi: 10.3390/nu14091750. Nutrients. 2022. PMID: 35565718 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Creatine is a Conditionally Essential Nutrient in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Hypothesis and Narrative Literature Review.Nutrients. 2019 May 10;11(5):1044. doi: 10.3390/nu11051044. Nutrients. 2019. PMID: 31083291 Free PMC article. Review.
-
"Nutraceuticals" in relation to human skeletal muscle and exercise.Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Apr 1;312(4):E282-E299. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00230.2016. Epub 2017 Jan 31. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2017. PMID: 28143855 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Creatine Supplementation and Upper Limb Strength Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Sports Med. 2017 Jan;47(1):163-173. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0571-4. Sports Med. 2017. PMID: 27328852 Review.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical