Creatine supplementation enhances maximum voluntary isometric force and endurance capacity in resistance trained men

The present study examined the hypothesis that creatine (Cr) supplementation can increase the performance of isometric exercise in subjects engaged in a strength training program. Ten male subjects were tested in three experimental trials 7 days apart (days 1, 8 and 15). In each trial the subjects' maximum voluntary force of contraction (MVC) was measured in both legs and isometric endurance capacity at 80, 60, 40 and 20% of MVC of their stronger leg (knee extensor group) was measured with a 4-min rest between contractions. Additionally, the subjects' isometric endurance capacity at 80% of MVC of their weaker leg was measured in 10 repeated bouts interspersed with 2-min rest. A double-blind cross-over design was adopted for administering Cr or placebo. Subjects were randomized into either the Cr-placebo (Group A: days 2-6: 10 g day-1 of Cr; days 9-13: 10 g day-1 of glucose polymers) or the placebo-Cr group (Group B reverse supplementation order). The daily diet was analysed, and urine samples from 24-h collections were subjected to Cr and creatinine analysis. In each subject, approximately 18 g (35%) of Cr was eliminated in the urine during the Cr supplementation period. MVC increased by about 10% (P < 0.01 in the weaker leg, P < 0.05 in the stronger leg) and body mass increased by 1.7 +/- 0.4 kg (2.3%, P < 0.01) and 1.8 +/- 0.3 kg (2.1%, P < 0.01) in groups A and B, respectively, after Cr supplementation, while energy intake and diet composition remained constant throughout the study. The subjects' endurance capacity increased (P < 0.05) in all the bouts after Cr supplementation. Muscle hypertrophy in response to Cr supplementation and weight training may explain the findings of the present study.