Creatine Supplementation Patterns and Perceived Effects in Select Division I Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

The perceived positive effects noted support current research (strength/weight gains), while the perceived negative effects (cramping/gastrointestinal distress) were consistent with anecdotal reports surrounding creatine supplementation. Apparently, collegiate athletes in this study are in need of education regarding the proper use of creatine supplementation. Additional studies are needed to ascertain creatine supplementation patterns of collegiate athletes in various settings.

Putting the Myth of Creatine Supplementation Leading to Muscle Cramps and Dehydration to Rest

“…Several self-report studies have examined potential negative effects of creatine supplementation in athletes 21 23 24. The first consisted of 219 collegiate athletes, of whom 90 (41%) athletes reported creatine use with 34 (38%) reporting negative effects including gastrointestinal distress and muscle cramping (24% and 27%, respectively) 21.…”

“…The only studies found to report the occurrence of dehydration and/or muscle cramping from creatine supplementation have been anecdotal reports21 23 24 or speculations that creatine use may result in a fluid balance shift causing increases in intracellular fluid which could alter electrolyte balance1 20 34 or be unavailable for thermoregulation 1 20 32…”

Nutritional Interventions as Potential Strategy to Minimize Exercise-Induced Muscle Injuries in Sports

“…A large number of surveys indicate that creatine (n [aminoiminomethyl]-N-methylglycine) is one of the most widely used nutritional supplements [117][118][119][120][121][122]. Prevalence studies indicate that the use of creatine is particularly common in athletes and soldiers.…”

Articulating Fatness: Obesity and the Scientific Tautologies of Bodily Accumulation in Neoliberal Times

“…Corporations and foundations alike invested millions of dollars into programs seeking ''hard evidence'' of their exercise-related producers or initiatives. In turn, faculty researchers within these programs generated studies that ''proved'' the benefits of exercise-related products such as performance-enhancing drugs (e.g., the EAS company's version of Creatin; Greenwood et al 2000;Greenwood et al 2003;Grindstaff et al 1997;Kreider 2003aKreider , 2003bKreider et al 1998;Kreider et al 2003). As a second example, the burgeoning field of Kinesiogenomics has in recent years solicited and received funding for a number of research initiatives focused on developing research that aims to identify genes and genetic patterns in order to predict sporting achievement.…”