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Published on: July 5, 2017
Creatine Supplementation and Upper Limb Strength Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Charlotte Lanhers1,2, Bruno Pereira3, Geraldine Naughton4
1Preventive and Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand (CHU), 58 rue Montalembert, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Creatine supplementation enhances upper limb strength for short-duration exercises. This effect is consistent across various populations and protocols, making creatine a reliable performance enhancer.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Supplementation
Background:
- Creatine is a popular strength-enhancing supplement, primarily studied for lower limb performance.
- Previous research has not comprehensively analyzed its effects on upper limb strength.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the impact of creatine supplementation on upper limb strength performance.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing creatine to placebo.
- Included exercises < 3 minutes duration.
- Analyzed strength performance at baseline, post-supplementation, and changes between time points, stratified by upper limb muscle groups.
Main Results:
- Included 53 studies with 563 in the creatine group and 575 controls.
- Significant positive effect sizes for bench press (0.265), chest press (0.677), pectoral muscles (0.289), and overall upper limb strength (0.317).
- Efficacy was independent of population characteristics, training, or supplementation details.
Conclusions:
- Creatine supplementation effectively improves upper limb strength for exercises under 3 minutes.
- The benefits are consistent regardless of individual factors or supplementation regimens.
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