Kreider, R., Greenwood, M., Melton, C., Rasmussen, C., Cantler, E., Milner, P., & Almada, A. (2002). Creatine supplementation during training/competition does not increase perceptions of fatigue or adversely affect health status. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 816.

This study investigated if creatine supplementation affected perceptions of fatigue and health status. College football players (N = 100) served as Ss. One group (N = 48) ingested 15.75 g of creatine for 5-7 days followed by 5-10 g/d during 18 weeks of training and competition. The remaining Ss (N = 52) did not use creatine. All Ss had access to carbohydrate supplementation. [The control condition Ss were not randomly assigned.]

Creatine use was related less fatigue and fewer symptoms of illness and side-effects at various times during training in comparison to athletes who did not take creatine.

Implication. Creatine supplementation did not develop health problems in college football players and produced some minor benefits.

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