Creatine Timing on Resistance Training Adaptations in College Athletes

Summary

While the use of creatine monohydrate supplementation and its associated benefits are well researched and supported, the impact of the timing of when creatine is ingested is a highly nuanced topic. The potential for the timing of administration to make an impact on observed outcomes is an established and appreciated factor and limited research to date has examined the impact of creatine timing. Of the literature that has been published, one study was very short in duration (4 weeks) that possessed a study design that undermined its practicality, two other studies used older individuals, and one study utilized a unilateral training model which may not be an adequate exercise protocol to allow for the ergogenic potential of creatine to mediate any enhancement of training adaptations. Therefore, based on the limited number of studies in young and previously trained populations, future studies examining the effects of pre vs post-training creatine monohydrate supplementation on resistance training adaptations are warranted.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Creatine

Participants were matched according to fat-free mass to consume a placebo, or 5-g dose of creatine monohydrate within one hour before training, or within one hour after training for 8 weeks while completing a weekly resistance training program. At each time point (before and after training), all participants co-ingested a 25-gram dose whey isolate and a 25-gram dose of carbohydrate powder along with their assigned supplement. Body composition using a 3-compartment field (3CFIELD), muscular strength (one-repetition maximum \[1RM\]) and endurance (repetitions to fatigue \[RTF\] at 80% 1RM) using bench press (BP) and back squat (SQ) exercises along with isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) were assessed before and after the 8-week supplementation period.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Maltodextrin

Participants were matched according to fat-free mass to consume a placebo (maltodextrin) within one hour before training, or within one hour after training for 8 weeks while completing a weekly resistance training program. At each time point (before and after training), all participants co-ingested a 25-gram dose whey isolate and a 25-gram dose of carbohydrate powder along with their assigned supplement. Body composition using a 3-compartment field (3CFIELD), muscular strength (one-repetition maximum \[1RM\]) and endurance (repetitions to fatigue \[RTF\] at 80% 1RM) using bench press (BP) and back squat (SQ) exercises along with isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) were assessed before and after the 8-week supplementation period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lindenwood University

  collaborator OTHER

• Mayo Clinic

  collaborator OTHER

• Western Michigan University

  collaborator OTHER

• Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nicholas E Dinan, MS · Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

• Chad M Kerksick, PhD · Lindenwood University

• Andrew R Jagim, PhD · Mayo Clinic Health System

• Michael G Miller, PhD · Western Michigan University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-02-09

Primary Completion

2022-05-05

Completion

2022-05-05

Countries

• United States

Study Locations