Dietary Supplements Used by Athletes: Creatine

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Recommended: literature review on creatine supplementation

Creatine (Cr) is a popular dietary supplement used by athletes to increase sports performance, muscle mass, and strength. Creatine was first discovered in “1835, when a French scientist reported finding this constituent of meat” (Demant & Rhodes, 1999). This organic compound is manufactured endogenously by the liver and kidneys “from the amino acids glycine, arginine and methionine” for energy stipulation during muscular contraction. (Arazi, Rahmaninia, Hoseini, & Asadi, 2011). Creatine is either converted into free form Cr or phosphorylated form as known as creatine phosphate (CP). The endogenous production and exogenous consumption of Cr yields about 1 gram a day for the average person (Cooper, Naclerio, Allfrove , & Jimenez, 2012). In its free form, Cr is used for regenerating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through the phosphorylcreatine kinase (PCK) shuttle. This shuttle is the process in which an ATP molecule is split to generate energy and a new molecule, called adenosine-diphosphate (ADP). In order for the PCK shuttle to continue, ADP and CP are combined to reconstruct ATP molecules for future energy usage. Creatine as a nutritional supplement (exogenous induction) has been shown to have positive effects on strength and muscular development, but over time decreases endogenous Cr synthesis in the body. The role of Cr in the body proves it is a vital component for short term, high intensity activities. It is important for the athlete to understand the physiological and ergogenic effects of Cr before attempting exogenous creatine supplementation.
Athletes consume Cr as an ergogenic aid to increase sports performance, muscular density, muscular power, and to buffer and inhibit phosphofructokinase during physical activity. The mo...

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...2010). Effects of 28 days of creatine ingestion on muscle metabolism and performance of a simulated cycling road race. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 7(26), 1-13

Lugaresi, R., Leme, M., de Salles Painelli, V., Murai, I., Roschel, H., Sapienza, M., Lancha, A., & Gualano, B. (2013) Does long term creatine supplementation impair kidney function in resistance-trained individuals consuming a high-protein diet. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 10(26), 1-6

Rahimi, R., Faraji, H., Vatani, D., & Qaderi, M. (2010). Creatine supplementation alters the hormonal response to resistance exercise. Kinesiology 42(1), 28-35

Rawson, E., Persky, A., Price, T., & Clarkson, P. (2004). Effect of repeated creatine supplementation on muscle, plasma, and urine creatine levels. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 18(1), 162-167

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