Creatine Supplementation: An Update

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2021 Jul 1;20(7):338-344. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000863.

Abstract

Creatine is a popular and widely used ergogenic dietary supplement among athletes, for which studies have consistently shown increased lean muscle mass and exercise capacity when used with short-duration, high-intensity exercise. In addition to strength gains, research has shown that creatine supplementation may provide additional benefits including enhanced postexercise recovery, injury prevention, rehabilitation, as well as a number of potential neurologic benefits that may be relevant to sports. Studies show that short- and long-term supplementation is safe and well tolerated in healthy individuals and in a number of patient populations.

MeSH terms

  • Anaerobiosis / drug effects
  • Athletes*
  • Athletic Performance
  • Body Composition / drug effects
  • Brain Concussion / prevention & control
  • Brain Concussion / therapy
  • Caffeine / pharmacology
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Creatine / pharmacology*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / pharmacology
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Exercise
  • Exercise Tolerance / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Muscle Strength / drug effects
  • Performance-Enhancing Substances / pharmacology*
  • Resistance Training
  • Valerates / pharmacology

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Performance-Enhancing Substances
  • Valerates
  • beta-hydroxyisovaleric acid
  • Caffeine
  • Creatine