Effect of creatine supplementation during rapid body mass reduction on metabolism and isokinetic muscle performance capacity

Well-trained subjects (n = 6) were studied before and after losing a mean 3.0%-4.3% of body mass to determine whether muscle performance could be maintained or even enhanced by dietary creatine supplementation. During a 5-day period of loss of mass the subjects were randomly assigned to a creatine or placebo supplemented diet. All the subjects were measured before and after loss of mass on both supplements for isokinetic peak torque (PT) and work at peak torque (W-PT) Of knee extensors, also for intermittent high intensity working capacity of the same muscle group. The latter test consisted of submaximal isokinetic knee extensions at an angular velocity of 1.57 rad.s(-1) for 45 s at the rate of 30 contractions each min (submaximal work, W-smax) followed by 15-s maximal effort (maximal work, W-max). Total duration of the test was 3 min. Haematocrit was measured and haemoglobin, ammonia, lactate, glucose and urea concentrations were analysed in blood samples obtained at rest and after cessation of muscle performance tests. The results indicated that creatine supplementation in comparison with placebo treatment during rapid body mass reduction may help to maintain muscle PT and W-PT at high angular velocities, not influencing W-max and the rate of fatigue development during W-max, but affecting adversely W-smax. Within the limitations of the present study the reasons for the partially detrimental effect of creatine administration remain obscure, but it is suggested that impaired creatine uptake in muscle during body mass loss as well as creatine induced changes in muscle glucose and glycogen metabolism may be involved.