The Effect Of Creatine And Beta-Alanine Supplementation On Performance And Endocrine Response In Strength And Power Athletes
Study Design: Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial
Author Information
Hoffman J1, Ratamess N, Kang J, Mangine G, Faigenbaum A, Stout J.
Dept. of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ 08628, USA.
Background
To investigate the effects of creatine and creatine plus beta-alanine on strength, power, body composition, and endocrine changes were examined during a 10-week resistance training program in collegiate football players.
Methods
Thirty-three male strength-power athletes were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group (CA) was provided with a daily creatine plus β-alanine supplementation (10.5 g/d of creatine monohydrate and 3.2 g/d of β-alanine), the second group (C) was provided with a daily creatine supplement only (10.5 g/d of creatine monohydrate), while the third group (P) was given a placebo (10.5 g/d of dextrose). These dosages were similar to those used in previous studies examining both creatine (4, 8, 17, 20, 28, 30, 40) and β-alanine supplementation (13). All subjects were athletes from the college’s football team with at least 2 y of resistance training experience. The study followed a double-blind format. All groups performed the same resistance-training program for 10 wk. The training program was a 4 d per week, split routine (see Table 1) that was supervised by study personnel. All subjects completed a daily training log and turned it in at the end of each week.
Results
The effects of creatine and creatine plus beta-alanine on strength, power, body composition, and endocrine changes were examined during a 10-wk resistance-training program in collegiate football players. Thirty-three male subjects were randomly assigned to either a placebo (P), creatine (C), or creatine plus beta -alanine (CA) group. During each testing session subjects were assessed for strength (maximum bench press and squat), power (Wingate anaerobic power test, 20-jump test), and body composition. Resting blood samples were analyzed for total testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, IGF-1, and sex hormone binding globulin. Changes in lean body mass and percent body fat were greater (P < 0.05) in CA compared to C or P. Significantly greater strength improvements were seen in CA and C compared to P. Resting testosterone concentrations were elevated in C, however, no other significant endocrine changes were noted. Results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of creatine and creatine plus beta-alanine on strength performance. Creatine plus beta-alanine supplementation appeared to have the greatest effect on lean tissue accruement and body fat composition.
Conclusions
Results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of creatine and creatine plus beta-alanine on strength performance. Creatine plus beta-alanine supplementation appeared to have the greatest effect on lean tissue accruement and body fat composition.
