Hunt, J., Kreider, R., Melton, C., Ransom, J., Rasmussen, C., Stroud, T., Cantler, E., & Milnor, P. (1999). Creatine does not increase incidence of cramping or injury during pre-season college football training II. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 1795.

This study examined the effects of creatine supplementation on the incidence of injury, in relation to the percentage of creatine use, during two phases of preseason college football. Division I football players (N = 34) ingested creatine (15.75 g/day for five days and then 5.25 g/day for 20 days) during pre-camp training. Ss (N = 43) did not take creatine. During the 17-day preseason camp, 34 ingested a carbohydrate/protein supplement with 8.3 g/day creatine and 64 ingested carbohydrate/protein alone.

It was found that the creatine group recorded a significantly lower rate of injuries than non-creatine users. This effect was particularly noticeable in the pre-camp experience. In comparison, there was an inverse relationship in non-creatine users.

Implication. Creatine supplementation could contribute to a lowering of injury rates in preseason football experiences.

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