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Creatine supplementation and aging musculoskeletal health

Endocrine volume 45, pages 354–361 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Sarcopenia refers to the progressive loss of muscle mass and muscle function and is a contributing factor for cachexia, bone loss, and frailty. Resistance training produces several physiological adaptations which improve aging musculoskeletal health, such as increased muscle and bone mass and strength. The combination of creatine supplementation and resistance training may further lead to greater physiological benefits. We performed meta-analyses which indicate creatine supplementation combined with resistance training has a positive effect on aging muscle mass and upper body strength compared to resistance training alone. Creatine also shows promise for improving bone mineral density and indices of bone biology. The combination of creatine supplementation and resistance training could be an effective intervention to improve aging musculoskeletal health.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Darren G. Candow

  2. College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Philip D. Chilibeck

  3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Scott C. Forbes

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  1. Darren G. Candow
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  2. Philip D. Chilibeck
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  3. Scott C. Forbes
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Correspondence to Darren G. Candow.

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Candow, D.G., Chilibeck, P.D. & Forbes, S.C. Creatine supplementation and aging musculoskeletal health. Endocrine 45, 354–361 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-013-0070-4

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