Effect of oral creatine ingestion on parameters of the work rate-time relationship and time to exhaustion in high-intensity cycling

Abstract

The relationship between work rate (W˙) and time to exhaustion (t) during intense exercise is commonly described by either a hyperbolic function (NLin), t=W ^′/(W˙−W˙ _cp), or by its linear equivalent (LinW) W _lim =W ^′+W˙ _cp(t). The parameter W˙<INF _</INF>cp (critical power) has been described as an inherent characteristic of the aerobic energy system, while W ′ has been shown to be a ralid estimate of anaerobic work capacity. Recent studies have demonstrated that oral supplementation of creatine monohydrate (CrH₂O) increases total muscle creatine stores, and have linked these increases to improved performances in intense intermittent exercise. This study was conducted to determine the effect of CrH₂O supplementation on estimates of W ′ and W˙<INF _</INF>cp derived from the NLin and LinW equations, and to determine the effect of CrH₂O on t in exhaustive constant power exercise of different intensities. Fifteen active but untrained university students completed three phases of testing on a cycle ergometer: (1) familiarization, three learning trials, (2) baseline determination of W ′ and W˙<INF _</INF>cp, four bouts performed at a W˙ selected to elicit fatigue in 90–600 s, and (3) experimental determination of W ′ and W˙ _cp, four bouts performed at the same W˙ as baseline, but performed after 5 days of ingesting either a placebo (4 × 6 g of glucose/day) or CrH₂O (4 × 5 g of CrH₂O and 1 g glucose/day). Testing was administered in a double-blind manner. Analyses of covariance revealed a significant effect for CrH₂O on both estimates of W ′ (NLin, P=0.04; LinW, P<0.01), but not on estimates of W˙ _cp (NLin, P=0.37; LinW; P=0.30). Within groups, t was significantly different for only CrH₂O at the two highest W˙s (P=0.04). It is concluded that oral ingestion of CrH₂O increases estimates of W ′ due to an improved t at the shorter, more intense exercise bouts.