The acute effects of intermittent creatine and carbohydrate supplementation on anaerobic performance in recreational athletes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown that supplementing creatine can increase the power, strength, and increase the amount of energy stored in the muscle as glycogen. Creatine supplementation is often ingested with carbohydrates, which may enhance the absorption of creatine into the muscle. There have been few studies, however, that have viewed the intermittent effects of creatine supplementation within hours of anaerobic athletic performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of intermittent creatine and carbohydrate supplementation within two hours of a Wingate test. METHODS: 11 participants performed a Wingate test after intermittent supplementation of either a 1) control (CON), 2) 50 grams of dextrose (CHO), or 3) 50 grams of dextrose and 5 grams of creatine monohydrate (CHOCR). Each participant consumed one of the three supplements, in specific order, across three separate occasions. Each supplement was administered after a bout of submaximal exercise and prior to the Wingate test. Data were collected for analysis of the averaged peak power output (PP), amount of power produced in seconds 1-5 and 5-10 (AUC5 and AUC10), and the averaged end power (EP) RESULTS: There were significant differences (p<0.05) in PP between CHO and CHOCR, AUC5 between CON and CHOCR, AUC5 between CHO and CHOCR, and AUC10 between CON and CHOCR, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicated that supplementation of creatine within two hours of anaerobic athletic performance may enhance athletic performance.