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Creatine supplementation patterns and perceived effects in select division I collegiate athletes
M Greenwood1, J Farris, R Kreider
1Department of Health Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, USA.
Summary
Collegiate athletes show varied creatine supplementation patterns, often exceeding recommended doses in the maintenance phase. This highlights a need for better education on proper creatine use to maximize benefits and minimize side effects.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Dietary Supplements
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Creatine is a popular supplement for athletes seeking performance enhancement.
- Understanding usage patterns is crucial for optimizing efficacy and safety.
- Division I collegiate athletes represent a key demographic for studying supplement use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate creatine supplementation patterns in Division I collegiate athletes.
- To correlate usage dosages with perceived positive and negative effects.
- To identify potential knowledge gaps regarding recommended creatine intake.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous, open-ended, self-report questionnaire.
- Descriptive study design.
- Survey administered to 219 male and female collegiate athletes across eight varsity sports.
Main Results:
- 41% of athletes reported creatine use, with higher prevalence in men.
- Positive effects were often reported at or below loading doses but above maintenance doses.
- Negative effects, including cramping and GI distress, were associated with exceeding maintenance dosages.
Conclusions:
- Perceived positive effects align with research on strength and weight gains.
- Perceived negative effects are consistent with anecdotal reports of creatine side effects.
- Collegiate athletes require education on appropriate creatine supplementation strategies.