CREATINE IMPROVES SHORT-BURST EXERCISE BUT DOES NOT GIVE ANY ADDED ADVANTAGE IN HOT-HUMID CONDITIONS

Papadopoulus, C., Imamura, R., & Brandon, L. J. (2001). The effect of creatine supplementation on repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise in the heat. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 1144.

Males (N = 16) performed a series of three 15-s bouts of maximal effort exercise on a cycle ergometer, with three minutes of passive recovery between bouts. Exercise was completed in temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius (45% relative humidity) and 31 degrees Celsius (75% relative humidity). Ss in one group (N = 8) ingested 2.3 g/kg of carbohydrate (CHO) as a placebo, while the other group ingested 0.3 g/kg creatine and 2 g/kg CHO each day for five days.

Creatine supplementation enhanced the performance of the creatine group. Environmental temperature and humidity did not interact with the supplementation effects.

Implication. Creatine supplementation improves short-burst performance but does not produce any added benefit when exercising in hot humid environments.

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