There are several factors that need to be controlled during experiments that determine if creatine can improve body composition. First and foremost, the amount of creatine given to each patient should be consistent. If some patients are given more or less creatine, the results of the experiment will be skewed. In respect to the amount of creatine distributed to the experiment group, the size of the patients will need to be similar. A similar dose of creatine given to a smaller person will not have the same effect on someone with more lean body mass. The patients will need to be of similar weight and body mass for the impact of the supplement to be accurately measured. Another factor is weightlifting experience. Less experienced weightlifters …show more content…
Thirty non-resistance trained male subjects were assigned randomly to three different groups. Each group was given creatine monohydrate, creatine ethyl ester, or dextrose at a dose of 0.3 g/kg of fat-free mass per day for five days. That dose was followed up by ingestion of each group’s respective supplement at a dose of 0.075 g/kg of lean body mass each day for 42 days. Each subject engaged in a 4 day per week resistance training program split into two upper body and two lower body extremity workouts. At the end of the training program, the body composition of each participant was measured. The results showed that creatine monohydrate increased lean body mass by an average of 1.85 kg, creatine ethyl ester increased lean body mass by an average of 1.05 kg, and the placebo increased lean body mass by an average of 1.7 kg. The creatine monohydrate group also showed the greatest reduction in fat mass compared to the other two groups. The creatine monohydrate group lost an average of 1.47 kg of fat, the placebo group lost an average of 0.66 kg of fat, and the creatine ethyl ester group actual had an increase in fat by an average of 0.44 kg (Spillane et al., 2009). Creatine monohydrate established itself as a key tool to improve body competition with the results of this study. Creatine monohydrate not only helped increase muscle mass, it also facilitated an increase in fat
Most of the side effects arise from creatine drawing water into the body compartments where it has accumulated. This may not sound too serious, but If not compensated for with adequate fluid intake, other body tissues may be deprived of much needed fluids, especially during strenuous exercise. It is very important to remain well hydrated while taking creatine. Drink at least 1-2 ounces of water daily per kilogram of body weight while supplementing. An increase in body weight is the most widely accepted side effect attributed to creatine use. Gastrointestinal distress is the secondly most common side effect reported. Incidences of stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea are more commonly reported during use when greater amounts of creatine are consumed each day. These side effects are due to the presence of large quantities of undissolved creatine particles sticking around within the intestinal compartment. As creatine use in athletes is still relatively new, there are no known long-term effects. There is research for long term effects, but it is too recent for anything to be available.
3. Effects of resistance training and Chromioum Picolinate on body composition and skelatal muscle in older men by, Campbell WW., Joseph LJ., Davey SL., Cyr-Campbell D., Anderson RA., and Evans WJ.. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY. 86(1): 29-39,1999 January.
The sellers of creatine and androstenedione (pronounced androe-steen-die-own) make these sorts of claims although there are no long-term studies of the effectiveness or safety of these drugs. Nevertheless, retailers can’t keep them on the shelves. Their popularity has been aided by high profile athletes. Both drugs are chemicals naturally produced in the body and found in minute amounts in food, mostly red meat. But that is where the similarities end.
“Drugs 2004: Steroids: Is Bulking Up Worth the Risk. “ World Book Science Year. 2009.
In the United States, the basis for ethical protection for human research subjects in clinical research trials are outlined by the Belmont Report developed in the late 1970’s. This document, published by the Nation Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, highlights three important basic principles that are to be considered when any clinical trial will involve human research subjects. They are; respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. (Chadwick & Gunn, 2004)
Primarily lifters and athletes take creatine to get ahead of the competition. In an article written by Nancy Ling, she mentions how in the Olympic games from 1964-1994 Soviet Union powerlifters consumed creatine to get an edge on the competition and had great success from it. ("Creatine? Is It Worth the Risk?"). Also in the article, Nancy stressed the importance of taking the correct amount of creatine because it can help prevent kidney and liver problems. On the other side, consuming creatine can be dangerous if you are prone to having seizures, blood clots, or cardiac
Creatine serves as an energy reserve in muscle cells. Muscular contraction is powered by the breakdown of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to ADP (adenosinediphosphate). When all the ATP is broken down, creatine phosphate in the muscle donates a phosphate group to ADP, and further energy reactions can occur. Creatine monohydrate is a precursor to creatine phosphate. By supplementing with CM, CP levels in muscle apparently are maximized, and more muscular work can occur, since there are greater energy reserves to use.
Creatine has been used in sports throughout time. Athletes have always had a fascination with being excellent at what they do. With the banning of steroids from competitive sports and the implementation of random drug testing in most sports, most athletes are still somehow hoping to gain an edge on their competition. This edge that they are using is creatine.
These performance enhancers, like androstenedione and creatine, are going to produce the same results. The use of performance enhancing supplements has long played a role in athletics, especially after the utilization of drug testing was introduced during the 1972 Olympics.
Human development has drastically changed within the exercise and fitness industry since the 1940’s. This industry is now one of the largest, most studied, and sought out aspects of human life. Many people depend on exercise to sustain their health and change their bodies both physically and mentally. Specifically, many look to change their body composition, meaning how much muscular lean tissue and fat they have (Zanker, Cathy, and Louise). In many circumstances, such changes to one’s body are heavily scrutinized and evaluated against social norms (O’Donnell). Exercise to improve body composition can be done using two different methods, anaerobic and aerobic exercise. In regards to improving body composition, anaerobic exercise's effects are
According to Lilienfeld and Landfield (2008) the most notable indications of a pseudoscientific claim are, “evasion of peer review, over reliance on testimonial and anecdotal evidence, and extravagant claims” (p. 1218). ANA’s claims, regarding C9-T11, contains the top three indicators of a false pseudoscientific claim. Firstly, ANA cites numerous research articles that apparently support their claims of improved muscle gain; however, there are no links to the actual publications. Secondly, ANA claims that C9-T11 causes 600% muscle gain in 6 weeks, which is impossible from my own experience because I have been working out for over 3 years.Thirdly, ANA uses plenty of testimonial’s in an attempt to prove it’s point. In conclusion, ANA could fool the average person that C9-T11 is a substance that boosts muscle growth; however, if the person has ever stepped foot in a gym or studied science, he or she would not be fooled due the numerous indicators that ANA’s claims are
use it or would the effect be lower? Another suggestion is to include a statement discussing test method variation and the impact (or lack of impact) on the test results. Finally, a larger sample size can help determine if borderline data is significant. While cost is almost always a consideration in research, the text discusses changes in muscle metabolism as not detectable. Additional data from more test subjects could produce results with statistical significance.
When most people think of performance-enhancing drugs the first thought that comes to their minds is the illegal ones like steroids, but today there are more non-illegal drugs like creatine and androstenedione for people today. Creatine is a chemical produced by the kidney and found in meat product. It helps muscles recover after a workout, which in turn helps athletes bulk up faster (Gregorian 5). Creatine is used by many of the nations top college sports teams like Nebraska and Northwestern. The ?Husker Power? strength program uses creatine, where it is meticulously measured and poured to the contours of the designated athlete (Gregorian 1). It is also slurped and scarified down by 25% if of pro baseball, basketball and hockey players and 50% of the NFL players also (Gregorian 1). Androstenedione, also known as andro, is a synthetic chemical that is changed into testosterone by the kidney (Scruff 1), and while it is currently legal it is on the road to becoming illegal. It has fulfilled two of the three requirements for being a steroid and tests are being done about the third, and if ?passes? the third one it will be considered a steroid and become illegal. It has also been banned in professional tennis, the Olympics and the NFL (Regan 2). In addition, there are also the illegal ones such as steroids. Also a little known one by most of the public is a drug called, erythopoietin commonly referred to as EPO. EPO stimulates the body?s production of red blood cells which caries oxygen to muscles and all other parts of the body (Swift 2). Another one is growth hormones, which help muscles recover faster after a workout (Swift 2). A drug guru for some of the worlds top cyclists who had a ?forced? retirement said that, ?in the ?70s the most commonly used drugs were amphetamines; in the ?80s, anabolic steroids and cortisone; and in the ?90s, growth hormones and EPO? (Swift 12). One sad thing about today?s athletes is that in 1995, 198 athletes were surveyed. In the survey they were asked if they were offered a banned performance enhancer with the guarantee that that they wouldn?t be caught, and they would win. Of the 198 surveyed 195 said yes and only 3-said no. Then the same people were asked the same question but they would also win every competition for five years, where after which they would die from the side effects. Sti...
When most people hear the term ‘bodybuilding’ they think of massive, inhuman looking individuals, mostly males, who spend every waking minute in the gym lifting weights and injecting steroids. But that is not entirely true. Bodybuilding is much more complex than that, especially when it comes to nutrition. Bodybuilding is a lifestyle. There are many different factors that come in to play for professional bodybuilders, as well as the regular person who is looking to put on muscle mass or whatever their fitness goals might be. Some of those factors include nutrition, training, recovery, supplementation, as well as the controversial topic of drugs in the bodybuilding scene. Bodybuilding also has a unique history that should be addressed before diving into the topics of bodybuilding.
There is now a large amount of evidence that carbohydrates can improve the performance of athletes. During high intensity exercise, carbohydrates are the main fuel for the muscles. By consuming high levels of carbohydrate before, during and after training or an event, glycogen stores are kept well stocked. These stocks help the athlete to perform for longer and help their bodies sustain the effort. The vital role of physical activity in maintaining health and fitness in the general population is now recognized. For those who want to keep fit and active, a well-balanced high-carbohydrate diet is recommended.