Creatine Supplementation in Combat Sport Athletes: A Narrative Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Creatine is a well-researched ergogenic aid impacting muscle performance.
• Its specific benefits for combat athletes, who may focus on weight management, are not fully understood.
• Understanding creatine's effects is crucial for optimizing performance in weight-class-dependent sports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the effects of creatine supplementation on combat sport athletes.
• To evaluate impacts on body mass, composition, strength, power, endurance, fatigue, and recovery.
• To synthesize current evidence on creatine's utility and safety in combat sports.

Main Methods:

• A narrative systematic review of peer-reviewed studies was performed.
• Searches included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to March 2025.
• Nineteen studies involving combat sports athletes (wrestling, boxing, etc.) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Creatine increased body mass and fat-free mass (FFM), particularly with longer interventions or resistance training.
• Significant improvements were observed in muscular power and maximal strength, especially with high-intensity protocols.
• No significant effects were found on sport-specific endurance, recovery, or fatigue markers.
• No serious adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions:

• Creatine supplementation effectively enhances body mass, FFM, muscle strength, and power in combat sport athletes.
• Its safety and efficacy profile make it a valuable supplement for specific performance aspects in these disciplines.
• Further research may explore optimal protocols for different combat sport disciplines.