Effects of Creatine and Resistance Training on Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effect of 12 months of creatine supplementation combined with resistance training on bone properties in postmenopausal women.
Results Summary
Creatine supplementation attenuated femoral neck bone mineral density loss and increased femoral shaft subperiosteal width compared to placebo, while also improving relative bench press strength. No differences were observed in other outcome measures, and no adverse effects on liver enzymes or creatinine clearance were noted.
Population
Postmenopausal women (mean age 57 years).
Effective Dosage
0.1 g/kg/day of creatine.
Duration
12 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
creatine (Cr) supplementation during a supervised resistance training program | decrease | femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) | postmenopausal women | -1.2% (-0.01 (-0.025 to 0.005) g·cm) | attenuated the rate of loss | #1 |
creatine (Cr) supplementation during a supervised resistance training program | increase | femoral shaft subperiosteal width | postmenopausal women | 0.04 (-0.09 to 0.16) cm | increased | #2 |
creatine (Cr) supplementation during a supervised resistance training program | increase | relative bench press strength | postmenopausal women | 64% vs 34% | increased relative bench press strength more than Pl | #3 |
creatine (Cr) supplementation during a supervised resistance training program | no change | other outcome measures | postmenopausal women | - | no differences between groups | #4 |
creatine (Cr) supplementation during a supervised resistance training program | no change | serum liver enzyme abnormalities | postmenopausal women | - | no differences between groups for reports of | #5 |
creatine (Cr) supplementation during a supervised resistance training program | no change | creatinine clearance | postmenopausal women | - | was normal for Cr participants throughout the intervention | #6 |
PURPOSE: Our primary purpose was to determine the effect of 12 months of creatine (Cr) supplementation during a supervised resistance training program on properties of bone in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Participants were randomized (double-blind) into two groups: resistance training (3 d·wk) and Cr supplementation (0.1 g·kg·d) or resistance training and placebo (Pl). Our primary outcome measures were lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD). Secondary outcome measures were total hip and whole-body BMD, bone geometric properties at the hip, speed of sound at the distal radius and tibia, whole-body lean tissue mass, muscle thickness, and bench press and hack squat strength. Forty-seven women (57 (SD, 6) yr; Cr, n = 23; Pl, n = 24) were randomized, with 33 analyzed after 12 months (Cr, n = 15; Pl, n = 18). RESULTS: Cr attenuated the rate of femoral neck BMD loss (-1.2%; absolute change (95% confidence interval), -0.01 (-0.025 to 0.005) g·cm) compared with Pl (-3.9%; -0.03 (-0.044 to -0.017) g·cm; P < 0.05) and also increased femoral shaft subperiosteal width, a predictor of bone bending strength (Cr, 0.04 (-0.09 to 0.16) cm); Pl, -0.12 (-0.23 to -0.01) cm; P < 0.05). Cr increased relative bench press strength more than Pl (64% vs 34%; P < 0.05). There were no differences between groups for other outcome measures. There were no differences between groups for reports of serum liver enzyme abnormalities, and creatinine clearance was normal for Cr participants throughout the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve months of Cr supplementation during a resistance training program preserves femoral neck BMD and increases femoral shaft superiosteal width, a predictor of bone bending strength, in postmenopausal women.