Creatine supplementation can improve impact control in high-intensity interval training.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) places significant stress on the body.
• Understanding biomechanical responses to HIIT is crucial for injury prevention and performance optimization.
• Creatine supplementation is widely used to enhance athletic performance, but its effects on biomechanical shock attenuation during HIIT are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of creatine (Cr) supplementation on biomechanical parameters associated with shock attenuation during high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Main Methods:

• A single-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study involved eight elite male soccer players undergoing HIIT sessions.
• Biomechanical data, including vertical ground reaction force and electromyography, were collected.
• Physiological markers such as heart rate, perceived exertion, and lactate levels were also monitored.

Main Results:

• Creatine supplementation did not alter heart rate, perceived exertion, or lactate levels.
• Significant reductions in the first peak of vertical ground reaction force and early impact impulse were observed with creatine.
• Increased time to reach the first peak force and modifications in muscle pre-activation were noted.

Conclusions:

• Creatine supplementation demonstrates potential to influence biomechanical shock absorption during running-based HIIT.
• Findings suggest creatine may enhance impact control, potentially leading to a safer HIIT experience.
• Further research can explore the long-term implications of creatine on HIIT biomechanics and injury risk.