Creatine supplementation does not alter neuromuscular recovery after eccentric exercise

Muscle Nerve. 2016 Sep;54(3):487-95. doi: 10.1002/mus.25091. Epub 2016 Jul 4.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of creatine (CR) supplementation on recovery after eccentric exercise (ECC).

Methods: Fourteen men were assigned randomly to ingest 0.3 g/kg of CR or placebo (PL) before and during recovery (48 hours) from 6 sets of 8 repetitions of ECC. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA), muscle thickness (MT), electromyography (EMG), contractile properties, and soreness were assessed.

Results: MVC, evoked twitch torque, and rate of torque development decreased for both groups immediately after ECC and recovered at 48 hours. MT increased and remained elevated at 48 hours for both groups. Soreness increased similarly for both groups. EMG activation was higher for CR versus PL only at 48 hours. There were no group differences for torque, total work, or fatigue index during ECC.

Conclusions: CR supplementation before and during recovery from ECC had no effect on strength, voluntary activation, or indicators of muscle damage. Muscle Nerve 54: 487-495, 2016.

Keywords: creatine; eccentric exercise; rate of torque development; recovery; twitch interpolation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Creatine / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electromyography
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction / drug effects
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscle Fatigue / drug effects*
  • Muscle Strength / drug effects
  • Neuromuscular Junction / drug effects*
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects*
  • Torque
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Creatine