She is a consultant for the Creighton University and University of Nebraska at Omaha athletic departments. Nearly 50 people, including area coaches, high school athletes and physical therapists, attended the hour-long lecture in the lecture hall at Hastings High. A lot of people are concerned about the side effects, whether it helps or not, and how much and how long their kids should take it. According to the International Center for Sports Nutrition, creatine is a compound made by the liver, kidney and pancreas. Nearly 98 percent of the body's creatine exists in skeletal muscle.
Creatine plays a key role in the replenishment of anaerobic energy stores.
After ATP is used, it must be regenerated from phosphocreatine stores during intense, brief exercise. Creatine must be available to replenish phosphocreatine stores. Some athletes consume creatine supplements, which are sold as tablets or powder, to help replenish and increase phosphocreatine stores to delay the onset of fatigue during intense exercise, as well as reduce recovery time between maximal bouts of exercise. Creatine also is found in most meats. Research results, though, do not consistently show that creatine improves performance for all athletes.