Abstract: Low-Dose Creatine Combined with Protein

[Guest guest]

The below study concludes that a low-dose creatine combined with

protein supplementation increases lean tissue mass and results in a

greater relative increase in bench press but not leg press strength.

Low-dose creatine reduces muscle protein degradation and bone

resorption without increasing formaldehyde production.

Low-Dose Creatine Combined with Protein during Resistance Training in

Older Men.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 40(9):1645-1652, September

2008.

Purpose: To determine whether low-dose creatine and protein

supplementation during resistance training (RT; 3 d[middle dot]wk-1;

10 wk) in older men (59-77 yr) is effective for improving strength

and muscle mass without producing potentially cytotoxic metabolites

(formaldehyde).

Methods: Older men were randomized (double-blind) to receive 0.1 g

[middle dot]kg-1 creatine + 0.3 g[middle dot]kg-1 protein (CP; n =

10), creatine (C; n = 13), or placebo (PLA; n = 12) on training days.

Measurements before and after RT included lean tissue mass (air-

displacement plethysmography), muscle thickness (ultrasound) of

elbow, knee, and ankle flexors and extensors, leg and bench press

strength, and urinary indicators of cytotoxicity (formaldehyde),

myofibrillar protein degradation [3-methylhistidine (3-MH)],and bone

resorption [cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx)].

Results: Subjects in C and CP groups combined experienced greater

increases in body mass and total muscle thickness than PLA (P <

0.05). Subjects who received CP increased lean tissue mass (+5.6%)

more than C (+2.2%) or PLA (+1.0%; P < 0.05) and increased bench

press strength (+25%) to a greater extent than C and PLA combined

(+12.5%; P < 0.05). CP and C did not differ from PLA for changes in

formaldehyde production (+24% each). Subjects receiving creatine (C

and CP) experienced a decrease in 3-MH by 40% compared with an

increase of 29% for PLA (P < 0.05) and a reduction in NTx (-27%)

versus PLA (+13%; P = 0.05).

Conclusions: Low-dose creatine combined with protein supplementation

increases lean tissue mass and results in a greater relative increase

in bench press but not leg press strength. Low-dose creatine reduces

muscle protein degradation and bone resorption without increasing

formaldehyde production.

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Carruthers

Wakefield, UK