Creatine supplementation associated or not with strength training upon emotional and cognitive measures in older women: a randomized double-blind study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess whether dextrose (as a placebo) had any effects on emotional and cognitive measures in older women, either alone or in combination with strength training.
Results Summary
Dextrose (placebo) showed no significant differences in cognitive function or emotional parameters compared to creatine supplementation. However, when combined with strength training, it led to significant reductions in depression scores and improved muscle strength, similar to the creatine-trained group.
Population
Older women (n=14 per group)
Effective Dosage
4 x 5 g/d for 5 days followed by 5 g/d (same as creatine dosage)
Duration
24 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
strength training | decrease | Geriatric Depression Scale scores | older woman | - | had significant reductions | #1 |
creatine supplementation | no change | Geriatric Depression Scale scores | older woman | - | no significant differences were observed | #2 |
strength training | increase | muscle strength | older woman | - | had better muscle strength performance | #3 |
creatine supplementation | no change | muscle strength | older woman | - | did not alter | #4 |
strength training | no change | cognitive performance | older woman | - | neither altered | #5 |
creatine supplementation | no change | cognitive performance | older woman | - | neither altered | #6 |
strength training | no change | food intake | older woman | - | remained unchanged | #7 |
creatine supplementation | no change | food intake | older woman | - | remained unchanged | #8 |
PURPOSE: To assess the effects of creatine supplementation, associated or not with strength training, upon emotional and cognitive measures in older woman. METHODS: This is a 24-week, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The individuals were randomly allocated into one of the following groups (n=14 each): 1) placebo, 2) creatine supplementation, 3) placebo associated with strength training or 4) creatine supplementation associated with strength training. According to their allocation, the participants were given creatine (4 x 5 g/d for 5 days followed by 5 g/d) or placebo (dextrose at the same dosage) and were strength trained or not. Cognitive function, assessed by a comprehensive battery of tests involving memory, selective attention, and inhibitory control, and emotional measures, assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale, were evaluated at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks of the intervention. Muscle strength and food intake were evaluated at baseline and after 24 weeks. RESULTS: After the 24-week intervention, both training groups (ingesting creatine supplementation and placebo) had significant reductions on the Geriatric Depression Scale scores when compared with the non-trained placebo group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) and the non-trained creatine group (p < 0.001 for both comparison). However, no significant differences were observed between the non-trained placebo and creatine (p = 0.60) groups, or between the trained placebo and creatine groups (p = 0.83). Both trained groups, irrespective of creatine supplementation, had better muscle strength performance than the non-trained groups. Neither strength training nor creatine supplementation altered any parameter of cognitive performance. Food intake remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Creatine supplementation did not promote any significant change in cognitive function and emotional parameters in apparently healthy older individuals. In addition, strength training per se improved emotional state and muscle strength, but not cognition, with no additive effects of creatine supplementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01164020.