CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION DOES NOT IMPROVE REPEAT SPRINT PERFORMANCE IN SOCCER PLAYERS.

Abstract

794 This study investigated the effects of creatine supplementation (C) on 30 maximal sprints of 20m, each effort was repeated after 30secs rest. Eleven Bruneian national squad soccer players completed two testing sessions, one week apart, during a break in the Malaysian Premier League. Subjects were matched for age, playing position, sprint performance and then assigned to either (C) (n=5), or Placebo (P) (n=6) groups. A double blind research study was employed with group (C) consuming 24g of Creatine and 30g of glucose and group(P) consuming 30g glucose daily for 6 days. Plasma concentrations of lactate (LA), uric acid (UA) and hypoxanthine (Hx) were taken at baseline and at peak post exercise levels. At baseline the (C) group were 3.3kg lighter than the (P) group, however following supplementation the (C) group increased by an average of 1.9kg, whereas (P) group maintained their weight. Testing was performed at identical stages of the weekly training microcycle. Ambient temperature, relative humidity and wind speed did not differ appreciably between testing sessions. There were no significant changes in sprint performance between the two testing sessions for either group, additionally plasma concentrations of (LA), (UA) and (Hx) at baseline and post exercise did not reveal any significant changes between groups. In conclusion, any increases in muscular power due to (C) uptake did not translate into improved sprint performance times perhaps these benefits were offset by increased body weight in group (C), suggesting that creatine supplementation does not significantly improve repeat sprint performance in professional soccer players.