Clinical trial NCT05451498: Creatine Timing on Resistance Training Adaptations in College Athletes
Official title: Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Timing on Resistance Training Adaptations in Male and Female Collegiate Athletes
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Healthy
Keywords: supplementation
pre-workout
post-workout
peri-workout
strength
endurance
body composition
fat-free mass
Lead sponsor: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Lindenwood University
name: Mayo Clinic
name: Western Michigan University
First posted: 2022-07-11
Enrollment: 47
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 19
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: While the use of creatine monohydrate supplementation and its associated benefits are well researched and supported, the impact of the timing of when creatine is ingested is a highly nuanced topic. The potential for the timing of administration to make an impact on observed outcomes is an established and appreciated factor and limited research to date has examined the impact of creatine timing. Of the literature that has been published, one study was very short in duration (4 weeks) that possessed a study design that undermined its practicality, two other studies used older individuals, and one study utilized a unilateral training model which may not be an adequate exercise protocol to allow for the ergogenic potential of creatine to mediate any enhancement of training adaptations. Therefore, based on the limited number of studies in young and previously trained populations, future studies examining the effects of pre vs post-training creatine monohydrate supplementation on resistance training adaptations are warranted.

Detailed description: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, eligible study participants were provided a daily dose of creatine monohydrate (pre-or post-workout) or placebo (no creatine delivered) for an 8-week supplementation period. Based upon their baseline fat-free mass, participants were randomized into one of three groups: pre-workout creatine supplementation (PRE), post-workout creatine supplementation (POST), or placebo (PLA). Each group consumed their assigned dose or placebo within one hour before exercise and within one hour following exercise. Each assigned supplement was consumed with 12-16 ounces of fluid along with a 25-gram dose of whey protein isolate and a 25-gram dose of carbohydrate powder This additional supplementation was provided to aid in blinding and to help ensure adequate dietary protein intake was provided to promote increases in lean body mass and strength. Providing daily doses of carbohydrates and protein also helped with recruitment efforts as all study participants received some efficacious nutrients.

All participants completed a twelve-week resistance training and conditioning program. The first four weeks of resistance training (12 workouts) occurred before supplementation began and were completed to acclimate participants to the program and to initiate early neuromuscular adaptations commonly seen with starting a new resistance training program. In addition, this initial 4-week period allowed for some study participants to wash out from ongoing supplementation prior to beginning the supplementation protocol. After completion of this run-in period, participants then completed baseline testing as described and began the supplementation protocol while continuing to follow the resistance training program for an additional eight weeks. Before and after the 8-week supplementation and resistance training period, body mass, body water, and body composition were assessed in addition to changes in muscular strength, muscular endurance, and lower-body power. All statistical analysis was completed on data collected starting at the beginning and end of the supplementation period. Participants were provided nutritional recommendations in order to ensure adequate energy and protein consumption to facilitate positive training adaptations and reduce the potential influence of differing dietary intakes.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* At least 19 years of age but less than 30 years of age.
* Current member of Midland University athletic team completing off-season resistance training program.
* Participants will be healthy as determined by evaluation of medical history and if they are cleared to participate in their sport, they are cleared to participate in the study (as deemed by the team medical provider i.e. Certified Athletic Trainer).

Exclusion Criteria:

* As indicated on a medical history form they complete, any individual who is currently being treated or is diagnosed with a cardiac, respiratory, circulatory, musculoskeletal, metabolic obesity (defined as body mass index \>35 kg/m2 and body fat greater than 30%), immune, autoimmune, psychiatric, hematological, neurological, or endocrinological disorder or disease will be excluded.
* Individuals with allergies to milk or soy (lecithin).
* For females only, if they are currently pregnant or become pregnant at any point throughout the study.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Fat-Free Mass
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Lower Body Strength
timeFrame: 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Fat Mass
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Body Fat Percentage
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Total Body Water
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Upper Body Strength
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Lower Body Muscular Endurance
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Upper Body Muscular Endurance
timeFrame: 8 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Provo
country: United States
facility: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
state: Utah
Study officials:
affiliation: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
name: Nicholas E Dinan, MS
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Lindenwood University
name: Chad M Kerksick, PhD
role: STUDY_CHAIR
affiliation: Mayo Clinic Health System
name: Andrew R Jagim, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Western Michigan University
name: Michael G Miller, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: