Wright, G. A., Lubus, D., & Grandjean, P. W. (2004). The effect of creatine supplementation on power output during repeated sprint running. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(5), Supplement abstract 1982.

"The effects of creatine supplementation (Cr) on sprint running performance have been studied previously by analyzing changes in sprint speed by finishing time for a sprint of desired distance with equivocal results. Some researchers have rationalized that the increase in body mass seen with creatine supplementation may inhibit increases in running speed. Therefore, sprint running leg power may increase but may not be apparent by the assessment used in previous studies" (p. S283).

This study determined the effects of creatine supplementation on power output during repeated sprint running. A magnetically braked treadmill was used to determine leg power during maximal sprint running protocol that consisted of two sets of 6 × 6-sec sprints with 45 seconds between sprints and five minutes of walking between sets. Subjects were two groups of seven Division III football and soccer players. After familiarization, Ss were randomly assigned to two double-blinded groups (placebo or creatine supplementation ). Each S performed the protocol at two different trials (T1 and T2) separated by 7 days. The first trial followed six days of supplementation with a placebo. The second trial followed six days of supplementation with the placebo or creatine supplementation.

No Group × Trial interactions were observed for performance.

Implication. Creatine supplementation did not enhance repeat sprint running power production in a group of Division III athletes. [It should be remembered that it generally conceded that only of subset of athletes responds positively to creatine supplementation. Therefore, one should not expect general groups to improve performance in experiments.]

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