Brain serotonin and dopamine modulators, perceptual responses and endurance performance during exercise in the heat following creatine supplementation
2008

Creatine Supplementation and Exercise Performance in Heat

Sample size: 21 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hadjicharalambous Marios, Kilduff Liam P, Pitsiladis Yannis P

Primary Institution: Department of Life & Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Hypothesis

Does creatine supplementation affect brain serotonin and dopamine function and endurance performance during exercise in the heat?

Conclusion

Creatine supplementation reduced effort perception during exercise in the heat, but only improved performance in those identified as 'responders' to creatine.

Supporting Evidence

  • Creatine supplementation reduced rectal temperature and heart rate during exercise.
  • Participants classified as 'responders' to creatine showed improved performance compared to 'non-responders'.
  • Five out of eleven participants in the creatine group reported the post-supplementation trial easier.

Takeaway

Taking creatine can help you feel less tired when exercising in the heat, but it only makes some people perform better.

Methodology

Twenty-one endurance-trained males performed two exercise tests to exhaustion in a double-blind study, one after creatine supplementation and one after a placebo.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in participant selection and classification as responders or non-responders.

Limitations

The classification of participants into 'responders' and 'non-responders' was indirect, which may have increased the risk of type II error.

Participant Demographics

Twenty-one endurance-trained males, aged approximately 27 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1550-2783-5-14

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