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Cited by 128Muscle metabolism and nutritionSports Performance and TrainingBiochemical effects in animals

Effects of creatine loading and prolonged creatine supplementation on body composition, fuel selection, sprint and endurance performance in humans

LOON, Luc J.C. van, OOSTERLAAR, Audrey M., HARTGENS, Fred, HESSELINK, Matthijs K.C., SNOW, Rodney J., WAGENMAKERS, Anton J.M.·2003·Clinical Science
DOI 10.1042/cs1040153
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Abstract

Most research on creatine has focused on short-term creatine loading and its effect on high-intensity performance capacity. Some studies have investigated the effect of prolonged creatine use during strength training. However, studies on the effects of prolonged creatine supplementation are lacking. In the present study, we have assessed the effects of both creatine loading and prolonged supplementation on muscle creatine content, body composition, muscle and whole-body oxidative capacity, substrate utilization during submaximal exercise, and on repeated supramaximal sprint, as well as endurance-type time-trial performance on a cycle ergometer. Twenty subjects ingested creatine or a placebo during a 5-day loading period (20g·day-1) after which supplementation was continued for up to 6 weeks (2g·day-1). Creatine loading increased muscle free creatine, creatine phosphate (CrP) and total creatine content (P<0.05). The subsequent use of a 2g·day-1 maintenance dose, as suggested by an American College of Sports Medicine Roundtable, resulted in a decline in both the elevated CrP and total creatine content and maintenance of the free creatine concentration. Both short- and long-term creatine supplementation improved performance during repeated supramaximal sprints on a cycle ergometer. However, whole-body and muscle oxidative capacity, substrate utilization and time-trial performance were not affected. The increase in body mass following creatine loading was maintained after 6 weeks of continued supplementation and accounted for by a corresponding increase in fat-free mass. This study provides definite evidence that prolonged creatine supplementation in humans does not increase muscle or whole-body oxidative capacity and, as such, does not influence substrate utilization or performance during endurance cycling exercise. In addition, our findings suggest that prolonged creatine ingestion induces an increase in fat-free mass.

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  • The results of this review show that there is no evidence to support supplementation as an effective strategy to consistently improve athletic performance in an adolescent population.

    “the results of this review show that there is no evidence to support supplementation as effective strategy to consistently improve athletic performance in an adolescent population.48,49”

    From Creatine supplementation in the pediatric and adolescent athlete-- A literature review (2023) · cites this paper as [48]

  • Some evidence suggests a deleterious effect for athletes participating in endurance sports.

    “with some evidence even suggesting a deleterious effect for athletes participating in endurance sports.7,48,53,54”

    From Creatine supplementation in the pediatric and adolescent athlete-- A literature review (2023) · cites this paper as [48]

  • Exogenous creatine has been shown to increase muscle volume and has been associated with a marginal improvement in performance for some adult athletes.

    “Although exogenous creatine has been shown to increase muscle volume and has been associated with a marginal improvement in performance for some adult athletes”

    From Creatine supplementation in the pediatric and adolescent athlete-- A literature review (2023) · cites this paper as [48]

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Authors
LOON, L. J. C. V., OOSTERLAAR, A. M., HARTGENS, F., HESSELINK, M. K. C., SNOW, R. J., & WAGENMAKERS, A. J. M.
Affiliations
  • Maastricht University (NL)
  • Netherlands Centre for Doping Affairs (NeCeDo), Capelle aan den IJssel, The Netherlands
  • Deakin University (AU)
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Science
Publisher
Portland Press Ltd.
Published
2003-01-17
Volume
104
Issue
2
Pages
153-162
ISSN
  • 0143-5221 (ISSN-L)
  • 1470-8736
DOI
10.1042/cs1040153
OpenAlex
W2081812290
Cited by
128
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Clinical Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Agenția Națională pentru Cercetare și Dezvoltare
  • Deakin University
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biochemical effects in animals
Keywords
creatine supplementation, creatine loading, phosphocreatine, fat-free mass, body composition, oxidative capacity, substrate utilization, sprint performance, endurance performance, cycling time trial, maintenance dose
MeSH terms
Adenosine Triphosphate, Adult, Ammonia, Body Composition, Creatine, Drug Administration Schedule, Exercise Test, Humans, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Endurance, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal, Lactic Acid, Dietary Supplements

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