Creatine supplementation prevents acute strength loss induced by concurrent exercise.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of creatine supplementation versus dextrose (placebo) on mitigating the acute interference of aerobic exercise on strength performance.
Results Summary
The dextrose (placebo) group showed a significant decrease in leg-press strength endurance after intermittent aerobic exercise, while bench-press strength endurance was unaffected. Dextrose did not counteract the interference effect on strength performance as effectively as creatine.
Population
32 recreationally strength-trained men
Effective Dosage
Not specified (used as placebo)
Duration
Not specified (followed creatine protocol duration)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
creatine (CR) supplementation | no change | leg-press strength endurance (SE) performance | recreationally strength-trained men | - | was able to maintain | #1 |
placebo (PL-dextrose) | decrease | leg-press strength endurance (SE) | recreationally strength-trained men | - | showed a significant decrease | #2 |
CR supplementation | increase | bench-press strength endurance (SE) | recreationally strength-trained men | - | significantly increased | #3 |
placebo (PL-dextrose) | no change | bench-press strength endurance (SE) | recreationally strength-trained men | - | was not affected | #4 |
creatine (CR) supplementation | increase | 1RM after continuous aerobic exercise | recreationally strength-trained men | - | small increases were observed | #5 |
creatine (CR) supplementation | increase | 1RM after intermittent aerobic exercise | recreationally strength-trained men | - | small increases were observed | #6 |
placebo (PL-dextrose) | no change | 1RM | recreationally strength-trained men | - | only maintained | #7 |
creatine (CR) supplementation | decrease | acute interference effect on strength performance observed in concurrent exercise | recreationally strength-trained men | - | may be counteracted | #8 |
PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of creatine (CR) supplementation on the acute interference induced by aerobic exercise on subsequent maximum dynamic strength (1RM) and strength endurance (SE, total number of repetitions) performance. METHODS: Thirty-two recreationally strength-trained men were submitted to a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max: 41.56 ± 5.24 ml kg(-1) min(-1)), anaerobic threshold velocity (ATv: 8.3 ± 1.18 km h(-1)), and baseline performance (control) on the 1RM and SE (4 × 80 % 1RM to failure) tests. After the control tests, participants were randomly assigned to either a CR (20 g day(-1) for 7 days followed by 5 g day(-1) throughout the study) or a placebo (PL-dextrose) group, and then completed 4 experimental sessions, consisting of a 5-km run on a treadmill either continuously (90 % ATv) or intermittently (1:1 min at vVO2max) followed by either a leg- or bench-press SE/1RM test. RESULTS: CR was able to maintain the leg-press SE performance after the intermittent aerobic exercise when compared with C (p > 0.05). On the other hand, the PL group showed a significant decrease in leg-press SE (p ≤ 0.05). CR supplementation significantly increased bench-press SE after both aerobic exercise modes, while the bench-press SE was not affected by either mode of aerobic exercise in the PL group. Although small increases in 1RM were observed after either continuous (bench press and leg press) or intermittent (bench press) aerobic exercise in the CR group, they were within the range of variability of the measurement. The PL group only maintained their 1RM. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the acute interference effect on strength performance observed in concurrent exercise may be counteracted by CR supplementation.