The Effect of Creatine on Muscle Loss

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary aim of this study is to determine the effect of creatine supplementation on muscle mass loss during short-term immobilisation in healthy, young people.

Detailed Description
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Seven days of one-legged knee immobilisation in young subjects with creatine or Placebo supplementation. A randomly selected leg is immobilized for seven days. Muscle mass and strength will be determined and muscle biopsies will be collected before and immediately after immobilisation. A week after the cast is removed we will assess any differences in recovery between intervention groups.

Official Title
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The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Muscle Loss During Immobilisation

Conditions
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Muscle Loss

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Placebo supplementation
* Other: Creatine supplementation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male Aged from 18-35 years 18.5 < BMI < 30 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: (Family) history of thrombosis Smoking Recent surgery Performing regular resistance training more than once per week in the past year Any back/leg/knee/shoulder complaints which may interfere with the use of crutches Current systemic use of corticosteroids, growth hormone, testosterone, immunosuppressants or insulin All co-morbidities interacting with mobility and muscle metabolism of the lower limbs (e.g. arthritis, spasticity/rigidity, all neurological disorders and paralysis) Use of anti-coagulants Pre-existing renal disease or those with a potential risk for renal dysfunction (diabetes, hypertension, reduced glomerular filtration rate)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Placebo Comparator: immobilisation and placebo<br>Seven days of one-legged knee immobilisation with placebo supplementation | Other: Placebo supplementation<br>* Seven days of one-legged knee immobilisation with placebo supplementation<br>|
| Experimental: immobilisation and creatine<br>Seven days of one-legged knee immobilisation with creatine supplementation | Other: Creatine supplementation<br>* Seven days of one-legged knee immobilisation with creatine supplementation.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| change in quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) | immediately before and after 1 week of immobilisation, and after 1 week recovery, quadriceps CSA will be assessed | Before and after 1 week of immobilisation, and after 1 week of recovery | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| change in muscle fiber type specific CSA | immediately before and after 1 week of immobilization, and after 1 week of natural recovery | Before and after 1 week of immobilisation, and after 1 week of recovery | 
| change in muscle strength | immediately before and after 1 week of immobilization, and after 1 week of natural recovery, one-repetition maximum (1RM) muscle strength will be assessed | before and after 1 week of immobilisation, and after 1 week of recovery |