Resumen de Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Training for Competition in Elite Swimmers
Michael C. Peyrebrune, George M. Hall, Keith A. Stokes, Mary E. Nevill
Purpose: The study was conducted to examine the effects of oral creatine supplementation on training for competition in 20 elite swimmers.
Methods: Subjects performed a maximal sprint test (8 x 50 yd (45.72 m), T1) before loading with creatine (Cr, 20 g[middle dot]d-1 Cr monohydrate for 5 d), 1 wk later (T2), and following a 22- to 27-wk period of training and competition (T3). Following T2, subjects supplemented with either Cr (3 g + glucose 7 g[middle dot]d-1) or placebo (glucose 10 g[middle dot]d-1; double blind) for the remainder of the 22- to 27-wk season and then both groups supplemented once more with 20 g[middle dot]d-1 Cr monohydrate for 5 d before their major competition. Venous and capillary blood samples were obtained pre- and posttest during the repeated sprint tests to determine blood metabolites and hormones. Competition times were recorded, and changes in subjects' best times were used to compare the effect of training and supplementation on competitive performance.
Results: Mean competition times in the Cr and control groups changed by +1.90 +/- 1.91 and +0.72 +/- 1.64% for short course (SC, 25-m pool) and by +0.14 +/- 1.14 and -0.59 +/- 0.82% long course (LC, 50-m pool), respectively (Cr vs control, NS). No differences between groups were found in blood metabolites, although the human growth hormone (hGH) response to repeated sprints was blunted following Cr loading (T1, 30.42 +/- 14.60 and 28.95 +/- 18.27 [mu]g[middle dot]L-1; T2, 21.48 +/- 13.96 and 14.24 +/- 7.32 [mu]g[middle dot]L-1 for Cr and control groups, respectively P < 0.05).
Conclusion: No statistically significant differences in performance were observed between groups after long-term maintenance during training, although small differences were observed that might be meaningful for elite performers.
