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01-09-2015 | Original Article

Impact of creatine on muscle performance and phosphagen stores after immobilization

Authors: Jeremy C. Fransen, Micah Zuhl, Chad M. Kerksick, Nathan Cole, Steve Altobelli, Dean O. Kuethe, Suzanne Schneider

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 9/2015

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated the effect of creatine (CR) supplementation during cast-immobilization to preserve skeletal muscle total work, power and intramuscular phosphocreatine (PCr) kinetics during dynamic exercise.

Methods

Twenty-five active individuals (24 ± 4 years,) performed wrist flexion exercise within a 1.9 Tesla superconducting magnet before and after 1 week of cast-immobilization. An incremental protocol to fatigue and two constant load (CL1 and CL2) exercise bouts were performed. While casted, participants consumed either 20 g day⁻¹ of CR or a placebo (PLA). ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to quantify in vivo intramuscular PCr levels.

Results

No significant group × time interaction effects were found for work or power throughout all exercise bouts. Total work was significantly reduced over time in both groups (p = 0.049) during the incremental exercise bout. Work production in CL1 tended (p = 0.073) to attenuate in the CR group, compared to PLA. No changes were observed in CL2. Baseline PCr significantly decreased with casting in PLA (PRE: 26.6 ± 6.3 vs. POST: 22.5 ± 5.6 mM kg⁻¹ wet muscle, p = 0.003). No change (p = 0.31) was observed in the CR group. Changes in work production were significantly correlated with changes in resting PCr in CR (r = −0.63, p = 0.021) but not PLA (r = −0.36, p = 0.26) group.

Conclusions

Results suggest decreases in short-term endurance may be due to alternations of PCr status and/or metabolism. More research is needed to fully determine the efficacy of CR supplementation during short-term immobilization.

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Title: Impact of creatine on muscle performance and phosphagen stores after immobilization
Authors: Jeremy C. Fransen
Micah Zuhl
Chad M. Kerksick
Nathan Cole
Steve Altobelli
Dean O. Kuethe
Suzanne Schneider
Publication date: 01-09-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 9/2015
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3172-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Impact of creatine on muscle performance and phosphagen stores after immobilization

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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