Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Area and Density of Bone and Muscle in Older Adults

Purpose: To examine the efficacy of creatine (Cr) supplementation and any sex differences during supervised whole-body resistance training (RT) on properties of bone and muscle in older adults. Methods: Seventy participants (39 men, 31 women; mean age +/- standard deviation: 58 +/- 6 yr) were randomized to supplement with Cr (0.1 g.kg(-1).d(-1)) or placebo (Pl) during RT (3 d.wk(-1) for 1 yr). Bone geometry (radius and tibia) and muscle area and density (forearm and lower leg) were assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Results: Compared with Pl, Cr increased or maintained total bone area in the distal tibia (Cr, Delta +17 +/- 27 mm2; Pl, Delta -1 +/- 22 mm2; P = 0.031) and tibial shaft (Cr, Delta 0 +/- 9mm(2); Pl, Delta -5 +/- 7mm2; P = 0.032). Men on Cr increased trabecular (Delta +28 +/- 31 mm(2); P < 0.001) and cortical bone areas in the tibia (Delta+4 +/- 4 mm2; P < 0.05), whereas men on Pl increased trabecular bone density (Delta+2 +/- 2 mg.cm (3); P < 0.01). There were no bone changes in the radius (P > 0.05). Cr increased lower leg muscle density (Delta +0.83 +/- 1.15mg center dot cm (3); P = 0.016) comparedwith Pl (Delta-0.16 +/- 1.56mg.cm(3)), with no changes in the forearm muscle. Conclusions: One year of Cr supplementation and RT had some favorable effects on measures of bone area and muscle density in older adults.