The effect of creatine monohydrate supplementation on obstacle course and multiple bench press performance.
Dietary creatine (Cr) supplementation has been shown to enhance muscular strength and endurance. This study determined the effects of Cr supplementation on performance of military training tasks. Two groups (Cr and placebo [Pl]) of 13 male soldiers each performed 3 consecutive military obstacle course runs ( approximately 3 minutes over 7 obstacles with a 2-minute rest between runs) followed by a rifle marksmanship task on 3 occasions (T(1), T(2), and T(3)), each separated by 5 days. They also completed a bench press protocol (5 sets to failure at 70% of 1 repetition maximum) and answered the Profile of Mood States questionnaire during each test session. Testing was done 3 times. No supplementation was given before T(1). Supplementation was provided using sports bars, with both groups receiving Pl bars between T(1) and T(2), whereas from T(2) to T(3) the Cr group consumed 24 g per day of Cr monohydrate in sports bars and the Pl group consumed an equal amount (kilocalories) of Pl sports bars. Creatine usage resulted in a significant (14%) increase in total bench press repetitions (p </= 0.05), but no difference between groups in obstacle course run times for the 3 runs from T(2) to T(3). Marksmanship or mood was not affected by Cr supplementation. An increase of 1.4 kg in body mass (p </= 0.005) and a 0.5% decrease in percent body fat (p </= 0.05) were observed after Cr ingestion. Creatine supplementation over 5 days improved performance during a controlled strength test but did not significantly improve military obstacle course performance.
Warber
John P
JP
U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts 01760, USA.
Tharion
William J
WJ
Patton
John F
JF
Champagne
Catherine M
CM
Mitotti
Peter
P
Lieberman
Harris R
HR
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014891:Weight Lifting
D003401:Creatine