Meta-Analysis Examining the Importance of Creatine Ingestion Strategies on Lean Tissue Mass and Strength in Older Adults.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation combined with resistance training on lean tissue mass and strength in aging adults, comparing different dosing strategies and timing of ingestion.
Results Summary
Creatine supplementation, regardless of dosing strategy, enhanced lean tissue mass and strength gains from resistance training compared to placebo. Higher-dose creatine (>5 g/day) improved leg press strength, while lower-dose creatine (≤5 g/day) with a loading phase increased chest press strength. Supplementing only on training days also boosted lean tissue mass and strength.
Population
Aging adults
Effective Dosage
Lower dose: ≤5 g/day; higher dose: >5 g/day; loading phase: ≥20 g/day for 5-7 days
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Creatine supplementation in conjunction with resistance training (RT) | increase | lean tissue mass and strength | aging adults | - | augments gains | #1 |
creatine (independent of dosing strategy) | increase | lean tissue mass and strength increase from RT | - | - | augments | #2 |
creatine-loading followed by lower-dose creatine (≤5 g/day) | increase | chest press strength | - | - | increased | #3 |
Higher-dose creatine (>5 g/day), with and without a creatine-loading phase | increase | leg press strength | - | - | produced significant gains | #4 |
creatine | no change | chest press or leg press strength | - | - | had no greater effect | #5 |
creatine supplementation only on resistance training days | increase | measures of lean tissue mass and strength | - | - | significantly increased | #6 |
Creatine supplementation in conjunction with resistance training (RT) augments gains in lean tissue mass and strength in aging adults; however, there is a large amount of heterogeneity between individual studies that may be related to creatine ingestion strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to (1) perform updated meta-analyses comparing creatine vs. placebo (independent of dosage and frequency of ingestion) during a resistance training program on measures of lean tissue mass and strength, (2) perform meta-analyses examining the effects of different creatine dosing strategies (lower: ≤5 g/day and higher: >5 g/day), with and without a creatine-loading phase (≥20 g/day for 5-7 days), and (3) perform meta-analyses determining whether creatine supplementation only on resistance training days influences measures of lean tissue mass and strength. Overall, creatine (independent of dosing strategy) augments lean tissue mass and strength increase from RT vs. placebo. Subanalyses showed that creatine-loading followed by lower-dose creatine (≤5 g/day) increased chest press strength vs. placebo. Higher-dose creatine (>5 g/day), with and without a creatine-loading phase, produced significant gains in leg press strength vs. placebo. However, when studies involving a creatine-loading phase were excluded from the analyses, creatine had no greater effect on chest press or leg press strength vs. placebo. Finally, creatine supplementation only on resistance training days significantly increased measures of lean tissue mass and strength vs. placebo.