Mujika, I., Chatard, J. C., Lacoste, L., Barale, F., & Geyssant, A. (1996). Creatine supplementation does not improve sprint performance in competitive swimmers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 28, 1435-1441.

This study examined the effects of creatine supplementation on sprint swimming performance and energy metabolism. Highly-trained swimmers (M = 11; F = 9) were tested for blood ammonia and for blood lactate after 25-, 50-, and 100-m performances in their best stroke on two occasions seven days apart. After the first trial, Ss were evenly and randomly assigned to either a creatine (5 g creatine monohydrate four times per day for five days) or a placebo group (same dosage of a lactose placebo).

No significant differences in performance times were observed between trials. Post-exercise blood ammonia concentration decreased in the 50- and 100-m trials in the creatine group and in the 50-m trial in the placebo group. The supplementation period had no effect on post-exercise blood lactate.

Implication. Creatine supplementation is not an ergogenic aid for sprint performance in highly trained swimmers although adenine nucleotide degradation may be reduced during sprint exercise after five days of creatine ingestion.

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