The effects of creatine supplementation on repeated upper- and lower-body Wingate performance

Nineteen physically active men supplemented their diet with 20 g per day creatine monohydrate (Cr group) or placebo (PI group) for 6 days. Before and after supplementation, subjects performed 3 arm Wingates (AW1, AW2, and AW3) and 3 leg Wingates (LW1, LW2, and LW3) on consecutive days. Wingates were separated by 2 minutes each. Mean power (MP), peak power (PP), and percent decrease (%D) were compared between and within groups. MP did not change significantly for arms or legs. PP did not change significantly for legs. PP increased significantly in the Cr group (AW1) and for the P1 group (AW1 and AW3). MP and PP were not significantly different between groups. The %D increased significantly in the P1 group (AW1, AW3, and LW3). For the Cr group, %D decreased significantly (pre vs. post) and was significantly lower than for the P1 group (LW2-post). Results suggest that short-term Cr supplementation does not enhance MP and PP during repeated upper- and lower-body Wingate tests when not accompanied by an increase in body weight. However, changes in %D suggest possible ergogenic effects.