Creatine supplementation and resistance training in older adults

Abstract

<p>BACKGROUND: Creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation during resistance exercise results in a greater increase in fat free mass (FFM), total body mass (TBM), and strength in young men and women. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the interactive effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on body composition, strength, and intramuscular total creatine concentration in older men and women.</p> <p>METHODS: Twenty-eight older men and women were randomly allocated, in a double blind fashion, to receive either CrM (n=14; CrM: 5g + 2g dextrose) or placebo (n=14; PL: 7g dextrose). Subjects participated in a 14 wk progressive, whole-body resistance training program. Pre-and post-training measurements included: 1 RM strength, isometric strength, body composition (TBM, FFM, %BF), muscle fiber area, and muscle total creatine and phosphocreatine.</p> <p>RESULTS: Training resulted in an increase in 1 RM strength for each of the 4 exercises (range = 26 - 60%) (p < 0.001), an increase in knee and dorsiflexion isometric strength (p < 0.001) and an improvement of performance on functional tasks (p < 0.001). Knee isometric strength was increased more for CrM (46.2%) as compared to PL (22.5%) (p < 0.05). Total body mass and lean body mass increased more for CrM (TBM: +1.2 kg; LBM: +1.7 kg) as compared to PL (TBM: -0.2 kg; LBM: 0.4 kg) (p < 0.05)</p> <p>CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that erM supplementation results in a greater increase in isometric knee extensor strength, total body mass and lean body mass during resistance training in older adults.</p>