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Creatine supplementation in the aging population: effects on skeletal muscle, bone and brain.

Amino acids
August 1, 2016
Bruno Gualano et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to summarize recent findings on the adjuvant use of creatine supplementation with resistance training to manage age-related deficits in skeletal muscle, bone, and brain metabolism in older individuals.

Results Summary

Creatine supplementation combined with resistance training improves lean mass and muscle function in older populations, with benefits applicable regardless of sex, fitness, or health status. Effects on bone remodeling are inconsistent, and cognitive benefits are suggested but require further study in older adults.

Population

Older individuals, with limited data on very old (>90 years) and severely frail individuals.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Suggested need for longer durations (>52 weeks)

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
creatine supplementation
increase
lean mass and muscle function
older populations
-
can improve
#1
creatine in conjunction with resistance training
increase
skeletal muscle
-
-
can result in greater adaptations
#2
creatine
increase
lean mass and muscle function
older individuals regardless of sex, fitness or health status
-
appears to be applicable
#3
creatine
neutral
the bone remodeling process
-
-
may affect
#4
creatine
no change
bone accretion
-
-
are inconsistent
#5
creatine supplementation
increase
cognitive processing under resting and various stressed conditions
-
-
improves
#6
Abstract

This narrative review aims to summarize the recent findings on the adjuvant application of creatine supplementation in the management of age-related deficits in skeletal muscle, bone and brain metabolism in older individuals. Most studies suggest that creatine supplementation can improve lean mass and muscle function in older populations. Importantly, creatine in conjunction with resistance training can result in greater adaptations in skeletal muscle than training alone. The beneficial effect of creatine upon lean mass and muscle function appears to be applicable to older individuals regardless of sex, fitness or health status, although studies with very old (>90 years old) and severely frail individuals remain scarce. Furthermore, there is evidence that creatine may affect the bone remodeling process; however, the effects of creatine on bone accretion are inconsistent. Additional human clinical trials are needed using larger sample sizes, longer durations of resistance training (>52 weeks), and further evaluation of bone mineral, bone geometry and microarchitecture properties. Finally, a number of studies suggest that creatine supplementation improves cognitive processing under resting and various stressed conditions. However, few data are available on older adults, and the findings are discordant. Future studies should focus on older adults and possibly frail elders or those who have already experienced an age-associated cognitive decline.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Aged, 80 and overAgingBone and BonesBrainCreatineDietary SupplementsFemaleHumansMaleMuscle, SkeletalPhysical Endurance
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations67
Citations/Year7.4
Relative Citation Ratio3.63
NIH Percentile88.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.87
Normalized Score0.64
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