title: Creatine supplementation post-exercise does not enhance training-induced adaptations in middle to older aged males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study evaluated the effects of creatine monohydrate (CrM) consumption post-exercise on body composition and muscle strength in middle to older males following a 12-week resistance training program.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, randomized trial, 20 males aged between 55 and 70 years were randomly assigned to consume either CrM-carbohydrate (CHO) [20 g days(-1) CrM + 5 g days(-1) CHO × 7 days, then 0.1 g kg(-1) CrM + 5 g CHO on training days (average dosage of ~8.8 g)] or placebo CHO (20 g days(-1) CHO × 7 days, then 5 g CHO on training days) while participating in a high intensity resistance training program [3 sets × 10 repetitions at 75% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM)], 3 days weeks(-1) for 12 weeks. Following the initial 7-day "loading" phase, participants were instructed to ingest their supplement within 60 min post-exercise. Body composition and muscle strength measurements, blood collection and vastus lateralis muscle biopsy were completed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of the supplement and resistance training program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant time effect was observed for 1RM bench press (p = 0.016), leg press (p = 0.012), body mass (p = 0.03), fat-free mass (p = 0.005) and total myofibrillar protein (p = 0.005). A trend for larger muscle fiber cross-sectional area in the type II fibers compared to type I fibers was observed following the 12-week resistance training (p = 0.08). No supplement interaction effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-exercise ingestion of creatine monohydrate does not provide greater enhancement of body composition and muscle strength compared to resistance training alone in middle to older males.
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, 8001, Australia, matt.cooke@vu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brabham
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Buford
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Shelmadine
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McPheeters
authors.forename: Geoffrey M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stathis
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kreider
authors.forename: Darryn S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Willoughby
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000368:Aged; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training
chemical_list: D003401:Creatine