The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Markers of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Intervention Trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether creatine supplementation accelerates recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage by assessing muscle function, soreness, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Results Summary
Creatine supplementation did not significantly improve muscle strength, soreness, range of motion, or inflammation at any follow-up time. It only reduced creatine kinase activity at 48 hours post-exercise, with high heterogeneity across studies.
Population
Adults aged 20-60 years (235 males, 43 females).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
creatine supplementation | no change | muscle strength | adult participants (≥18 years) | null | did not alter | #1 |
creatine supplementation | no change | muscle soreness | adult participants (≥18 years) | null | did not alter | #2 |
creatine supplementation | no change | range of motion | adult participants (≥18 years) | null | did not alter | #3 |
creatine supplementation | no change | inflammation | adult participants (≥18 years) | null | did not alter | #4 |
creatine supplementation | decrease | creatine kinase activity | adult participants (≥18 years) | standardized mean difference: -1.06; 95% confidence interval [-1.97, -0.14] | attenuated | #5 |
creatine supplementation | no change | recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage | adult participants (≥18 years) | null | does not accelerate | #6 |
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of creatine supplementation on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage, and is reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus were searched for articles from inception until April 2020. Inclusion criteria were adult participants (≥18 years); creatine provided before and/or after exercise versus a noncreatine comparator; measurement of muscle function recovery, muscle soreness, inflammation, myocellular protein efflux, oxidative stress; range of motion; randomized controlled trials in humans. Thirteen studies (totaling 278 participants; 235 males and 43 females; age range 20-60 years) were deemed eligible for analysis. Data extraction was performed independently by both authors. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool was used to critically appraise the studies; forest plots were generated with random-effects model and standardized mean differences. Creatine supplementation did not alter muscle strength, muscle soreness, range of motion, or inflammation at each of the five follow-up times after exercise (<30 min, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr; p > .05). Creatine attenuated creatine kinase activity at 48-hr postexercise (standardized mean difference: -1.06; 95% confidence interval [-1.97, -0.14]; p = .02) but at no other time points. High (I2; >75%) and significant (Chi2; p < .01) heterogeneity was identified for all outcome measures at various follow-up times. In conclusion, creatine supplementation does not accelerate recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage; however, well-controlled studies with higher sample sizes are warranted to verify these conclusions. Systematic review registration (PROSPERO CRD42020178735).