Effect of creatine supplementation and drop-set resistance training in untrained aging adults.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of creatine supplementation combined with maltodextrin versus maltodextrin alone during drop-set resistance training in untrained aging adults.
Results Summary
The study found that maltodextrin was used as a placebo and did not significantly enhance muscle mass, strength, or endurance compared to creatine supplementation. Drop-set resistance training alone improved muscle metrics, but maltodextrin did not provide additional benefits beyond those seen with training.
Population
Untrained aging adults (mean age ~58 years, mixed gender).
Effective Dosage
0.2 g/kg/day (placebo group) and 0.1 g/kg/day (creatine group).
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
drop-set resistance training | increase | muscle mass | untrained aging adults | - | improved | #1 |
drop-set resistance training | increase | muscle strength | untrained aging adults | - | improved | #2 |
drop-set resistance training | increase | muscle endurance | untrained aging adults | - | improved | #3 |
drop-set resistance training | increase | tasks of functionality | untrained aging adults | - | improved | #4 |
creatine supplementation added to drop-set resistance training | increase | body mass | untrained aging adults | - | significantly increased | #5 |
creatine supplementation added to drop-set resistance training | increase | muscle mass | untrained aging adults | - | significantly increased | #6 |
creatine supplementation | increase | muscle strength | untrained aging males | - | increased muscle strength (lat pull-down only) to a greater extent | #7 |
creatine supplementation | increase | training capacity | untrained aging males | - | enabled to resistance train at a greater capacity over time | #8 |
creatine supplementation | decrease | 3-MH | untrained aging males | - | decreased | #9 |
placebo | decrease | 3-MH | untrained aging females | - | decreased | #10 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of creatine supplementation and drop-set resistance training in untrained aging adults. Participants were randomized to one of two groups: Creatine (CR: n=14, 7 females, 7 males; 58.0±3.0yrs, 0.1g/kg/day of creatine+0.1g/kg/day of maltodextrin) or Placebo (PLA: n=17, 7 females, 10 males; age: 57.6±5.0yrs, 0.2g/kg/day of maltodextrin) during 12weeks of drop-set resistance training (3days/week; 2 sets of leg press, chest press, hack squat and lat pull-down exercises performed to muscle fatigue at 80% baseline 1-repetition maximum [1-RM] immediately followed by repetitions to muscle fatigue at 30% baseline 1-RM). METHODS: Prior to and following training and supplementation, assessments were made for body composition, muscle strength, muscle endurance, tasks of functionality, muscle protein catabolism and diet. RESULTS: Drop-set resistance training improved muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle endurance and tasks of functionality (p<0.05). The addition of creatine to drop-set resistance training significantly increased body mass (p=0.002) and muscle mass (p=0.007) compared to placebo. Males on creatine increased muscle strength (lat pull-down only) to a greater extent than females on creatine (p=0.005). Creatine enabled males to resistance train at a greater capacity over time compared to males on placebo (p=0.049) and females on creatine (p=0.012). Males on creatine (p=0.019) and females on placebo (p=0.014) decreased 3-MH compared to females on creatine. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of creatine to drop-set resistance training augments the gains in muscle mass from resistance training alone. Creatine is more effective in untrained aging males compared to untrained aging females.