Creatine supplementation in high school football players.
OBJECTIVE
To describe creatine supplementation patterns and behaviors associated with creatine supplementation in high school football players.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, multisite, anonymous, descriptive survey was conducted between October 1999 and February 2000.


METHODS
37 public high schools in Wisconsin.


METHODS
A total of 1,349 high school football players, grades 9-12.


METHODS
Self-reported prevalence of creatine use, as well as perceived benefits and risks. In addition, sources of information and influence regarding creatine supplementation were assessed.


RESULTS
30% of the respondents reported using creatine. Creatine use was lowest in the 9th grade (10.4%) and highest in the 12th grade (50.5%). 41% of the players at small schools stated they used creatine compared with 29% of the players in large schools. Enhanced recovery following a workout was the most likely perceived benefit of creatine supplementation, while dehydration was cited most often as a risk of creatine use. Users were encouraged to take creatine most often by their friends while their parents discouraged creatine use.


CONCLUSIONS
Creatine use is widespread in high school football players. High school football players who use creatine may not be aware of the risks and benefits associated with creatine supplementation. Sports medicine professionals who work with this population need to educate athletes, coaches, and parents about the use of creatine as a performance-enhancing supplement.
McGuine
T A
TA
University of Wisconsin Hospital Sports Medicine Center, Madison 53711, USA. ta.mcguine@hosp.wisc.edu
Sullivan
J C
JC
Bernhardt
D T
DT
D000293:Adolescent; D001484:Baseball / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003681:Dehydration / Q000139:chemically induced; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000139:chemically induced; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D012574:Schools; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D003401:Creatine