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Effect of Creatine Supplementation Dosing Strategies on Aging Muscle Performance

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

This study compared the effects of different creatine supplementation dosages, independent of resistance training, on aging muscle performance and functionality.

Design and Participants

Using a double-blind, repeated measures design, participants were randomized to one of three groups: Creatine-High (CR-H; n=11; 0.3 g/kg/day of creatine + 0.1 g/kg/day of maltodextrin), Creatine-Moderate (CR-M: n=11; 0.1 g/kg/day of creatine + 0.3 g/kg/day of maltodextrin) or Placebo (PLA; n=11; 0.4 g/kg/day of maltodextrin) for 10 consecutive days.

Measurements

The primary dependent variables measured at baseline and after supplementation included muscle strength (1-repetition maximum leg press, chest press, hand-grip), muscle endurance (leg press and chest press; maximal number of repetitions performed for 1 set at 80% and 70% baseline 1-repetition maximum respectively), and tasks of functionality (walking time, number of falls).

Results

There was a significant increase over time for muscle strength (Leg press: CR-H pre 161.5 ± 55.1 kg, post 169.2 ± 59.2 kg; CR-M pre 145.2 ± 47.7 kg, post 151.7 ± 45.0 kg; PLA pre 163.7 ± 51.5 kg, post 178.2 ± 65.6 kg, p = 0.001; Chest press: CR-H pre 57.0 ± 26.2 kg, post 58.8 ± 28.0 kg; CR-M pre 54.5 ± 27.9 kg, post 56.8 ± 30.1 kg; PLA pre 55.1 ± 26.9 kg, post 58.5 ± 30.1 kg, p = 0.001) and endurance (Leg press: CR-H pre 17.1 ± 6.0 reps, post 21.0 ± 7.2 reps; CR-M pre 24.1 ± 11.6 reps, post 29.1 ± 17.0 reps; PLA pre 23.8 ± 9.7 reps, post 29.5 ± 11.9 reps, p = 0. 001; Chest press: CR-H pre 15.6 ± 2.7 reps, post 18.9 ± 2.7 reps; CR-M pre 18.0 ± 5.0 reps, post 19.9 ± 7.1 reps; PLA pre 20.5 ± 6.2 reps, post 21.6 ± 5.5 reps, p = 0. 001), with no other differences.

Conclusion

Short-term creatine supplementation, independent of dosage and resistance training, has no effect on aging muscle performance or tasks of functionality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada, S4S 0A2

    J. Chami & Darren G. Candow

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  1. J. Chami
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  2. Darren G. Candow
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Correspondence to Darren G. Candow.

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Chami, J., Candow, D.G. Effect of Creatine Supplementation Dosing Strategies on Aging Muscle Performance. J Nutr Health Aging 23, 281–285 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-018-1148-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-018-1148-8

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