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
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Creatine provides additional energy for the body, and increases muscle volume. Most of the size and strength gains are during the first month of use. It gets rid of lactic acid, and improves exercise recovery time. Creatine enhances protein synthesis, and also delays the onset of fatigue.
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.
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 increases the body's ability to do work. It is high powered and generates the muscles ultimate energy source - ATP (adenosine triphosphate)- ATP produces the contractions of a muscle's proteins. When muscles are performing work ATP is being broken down into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and energy is given off. The ATP being used usually lasts 10 - 15 seconds. After that the muscle depends on creatine phosphate to restock the ATP. Creatine acts as a reserve for the ATP. Therefore increased amounts of creatine will allow the body to supply ATP at a faster rate. Which, in turn allows an individual to workout longer and maintain a high level of strength. With creatine as a supple)-nent the body is exposed 4 grams of creatine per kilogram. Red meats give 1 gram of creatine per large serving.
Bill Romanowski, Shannon Sharpe, and Mark McGwire, are just a few of the professional athletes that use and endorse fitness supplements such as Androstendione, Creatine, and other products. Every on camera interview that you see Shannon Sharpe he is wearing an EAS mock turtleneck. EAS is one of the leading manufacturers of Creatine and other supplements. The hottest supplement in Hollywood is Ephedrine; an herbal based drug designed to increase fat loss. Why do so many athletes use supplements? Who is using the supplements? How can I get supplements? Those are a few of the questions I have tried to answer in this report. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to educate. To educate not only the athletes using the supplements such as Creatine and Ephedrine but to also educate the governing bodies of collegiate sports. Answers were sought to the following questions: 1. Who is using Creatine and/or Ephedrine based products? 2. Why are they using supplements? 3. Are these products easily available? 4. Should the NCAA increase regulations on supplemental usage? Methods and procedures used to formulate this report I used primary and secondary research methods. I used the Internet as a focal point for my research. There were many sites devoted strictly to supplement usage and education on subjects related to the supplements, Creatine and Ephedrine. I also used muscle magazines and books for research. For primary research I gave forty questionnaires (see appendix 2) to twenty women and twenty men from Husson College.
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 is produced by the body and stored in all kinds of muscles such as the heart, diaphragm, and all visible muscles. Creatine’s role is to
Creatine is perhaps the best supplement ever to hit the sports nutrition market. Creatine is a compound produced by the body that help release energy in muscles, giving users steroid-like results without the side effects. Creatine is an effective sports supplement.
Proteins are extremely important in the growth of muscles, combined with weight training; protein can enhance muscle mass gain. Dependent on the athlete, the balance between weight lifting and protein intake will vary; a professional or trainer will measure the needed amount. Thought, all athletes will need a high protein diet, short track sprinters will not intake as much as much as a football player, for the sprinter would have a high carbohydrate diet. Resulting in instant energy opposed to the football players need for muscle mass and stored energy for long exercise periods.
Central Idea: Many people are misinformed on the subject of creatine use and exactly what it is and what creatine can do.
this is because creatine is most effective when the muscles are used for a short 6 seconds, then a long 45 second rest. The time period of using muscles for 6 seconds and then resting for 45 seconds is closely related to a football game where the players run a play, then get to rest until the next play is called. At the professional level of football, most teams are allowed to take creatine, but some teams are have banned the use of it because no one know the long term effects yet (Actions and Effects).
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.
The use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs is a common trend that is currently fascinating athletes all over the world. Athletes who are using these drugs are damaging the sport and harming their bodies at the same time. Seeking a greater athletic physique and ability, athletes turned to the use of steroids. Once the dangers and possible health risks arose, athletes then turned to performance enhancers. Two specific supplements have taken the sports world by storm and now are being used by athletes of all ages. They are androstenedione and creatine. It took years until people began to understand how dangerous steroids really were. These performance enhancers, like androstenedione and creatine are going to produce the same results.
Mujika, I and Padilla, S. "Creatine Supplementation as an Ergogenic Aid for Sports Performance in Highly Trained Athletes: A Critical Review." International Journal of Sportsmedicine October 1997: 18(7): 491-496.
Creatine was not a vitamin, however, but a synthesized blend of certain amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. The benefit creatine provides is increased energy for quick, anaerobic bursts of activity, such as are required in weightlifting. Athletes taking creatine can do more repetitions and sets of exercises than they could without it. Essentially, it speeds up the process of adding strength and size to the muscles by intensifying the workout. It has been compared to the way a marathon runner might saturate his muscles with carbohydrates before a race to provide endurance except that creatine strictly helps in anaerobic activities like muscle contractions.