Long-term creatine supplementation improves muscular performance during resistance training in older women.
This study examined the effects of long-term creatine supplementation combined with resistance training (RT) on the one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength, motor functional performance (e.g., 30-s chair stand, arm curl, and getting up from lying on the floor tests) and body composition (e.g., fat-free mass, muscle mass, and % body fat using DEXA scans) in older women. Eighteen healthy women (64.9 ± 5.0 years) were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either a creatine (CR, N = 9) or placebo (PL, N = 9) group. Both groups underwent a 12-week RT program (3 days week(-1)), consuming an equivalent amount of either creatine (5.0 g day(-1)) or placebo (maltodextrin). After 12 week, the CR group experienced a greater (P < 0.05) increase (Δ%) in training volume (+164.2), and 1RM bench press (+5.1), knee extension (+3.9) and biceps curl (+8.8) performance than the PL group. Furthermore, CR group gained significantly more fat-free mass (+3.2) and muscle mass (+2.8) and were more efficient in performing submaximal-strength functional tests than the PL group. No changes (P > 0.05) in body mass or % body fat were observed from pre- to post-test in either group. These results indicate that long-term creatine supplementation combined with RT improves the ability to perform submaximal-strength functional tasks and promotes a greater increase in maximal strength, fat-free mass and muscle mass in older women.
Center of Biological and Health Sciences, North University of Paraná UNOPAR, Avenue Paris, 675 Jardim Piza, Londrina, PR 86041-120, Brazil. andreoaguiar@hotmail.com
Andreo Fernando
AF
Aguiar
Renata Selvatici Borges
RS
Januário
Raymundo Pires
RP
Junior
Aline Mendes
AM
Gerage
Fábio Luiz Cheche
FL
Pina
Matheus Amarante
MA
do Nascimento
Carlos Roberto
CR
Padovani
Edilson Serpeloni
ES
Cyrino
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055070:Resistance Training; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D003401:Creatine