CREATINE IMPROVES PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOCCER PLAY IN FEMALES

Cox, G. R., Burke, L. M., Mujika, I., & Tumilty, D. (2001). Acute creatine supplementation and performance during a field test simulating match play in elite female soccer players. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 1149.

[Later published as: Cox, G. R., Mujika, I., Tumilty, D., & Burke, L. M. (2002). Acute creatine supplementation and performance during a field test simulating match play in elite female soccer players. Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 12, 33-46.]

On two occasions, seven days apart, female soccer players (N = 12) performed 5 x 11-minute exercise testing blocks, with inter-trial rests of one minute. Each block comprised 11 all-out 20-m sprints, two agility runs, and one precision ball-kicking drill, separated by 20-m walks, jogs, and runs. Ss in a creatine group ingested 5 gm of creatine four times per day, while the placebo group received the same dosage of a glucose polymer.

The creatine group increased in body mass and achieved faster sprint times and agility runs. Shooting accuracy was not affected.

Implication. Creatine supplementation improved physical performance in female soccer players despite an increase in body mass.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.