Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation Does Not Augment Fitness, Performance, or Body Composition Adaptations in Response to Four Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training in Young Females

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2017 Jun;27(3):285-292. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2016-0129. Epub 2016 Oct 21.

Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, performance, body composition, and insulin sensitivity. Creatine (Cr) supplementation may augment responses to HIIT, leading to even greater physiological adaptations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 weeks of HIIT (three sessions/week) combined with Cr supplementation in recreationally active females. Seventeen females (age = 23 ± 4 yrs; BMI = 23.4 ± 2.4) were randomly assigned to either Cr (Cr; 0.3 g・kg-1・d-1 for 5 d followed by 0.1 g・kg-1・d-1 for 23 days; n = 9) or placebo (PLA; n = 8). Before and after the intervention, VO2peak, ventilatory threshold (VT), time-trial performance, lean body mass and fat mass, and insulin sensitivity were assessed. HIIT improved VO2peak (Cr = +10.2%; PLA = +8.8%), VT (Cr = +12.7%; PLA = +9.9%), and time-trial performance (Cr = -11.5%; PLA = -11.6%) with no differences between groups (time main effects, all p < .001). There were no changes over time for fat mass (Cr = -0.3%; PLA = +4.3%), whole-body lean mass (Cr = +0.5%; PLA = -0.9%), or insulin resistance (Cr = +3.9%; PLA = +18.7%). In conclusion, HIIT is an effective way to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, VT, and time-trial performance. The addition of Cr to HIIT did not augment improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, performance or body composition in recreationally active females.

Keywords: cycling; exercise; supplementation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / drug effects*
  • Adult
  • Body Composition
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness / physiology*
  • Creatine / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • High-Intensity Interval Training*
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Creatine