CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING PRE-SEASON FOOTBALL TRAINING DOES NOT AFFECT FLUID OR ELECTROLYTE STATUS

Abstract

1485 Anecdotal reports suggest that creatine supplementation during intense training in the heat may alter electrolyte status and/or promote dehydration. This study examined the effects creatine supplementation on fluid and electrolyte status during two phases of pre-season college football training. 53 Division IA football players (19.9±0.2 yrs; 185±1 cm, 103±2.6 kg) participated in the first phase of a long-term open label study to evaluate the medical safety of creatine supplementation. 34 subjects ingested a commercially available supplement containing 15.75 g/d of creatine for 5-d followed by ingesting 5.25 g/d of creatine for 20-d. Remaining subjects were provided a carbohydrate/protein supplement containing no creatine. Supplements were administered following daily training sessions. Training during phase 1 consisted of 4-5 d/wk (70±7 min per workout) of resistance-training indoors (28±1°C, 79±2% RH) and sprint/agility conditioning outdoors (32±0.9°C, 84±3% RH). Training during phase II involved subjects practicing 2 to 3 times per day for 1.5 to 3.5 h (207±17 min/d, 6 d/wk) during 17-d of preseason football camp in which environmental conditions ranged from 29 to 37°C, 58 to 91% R.H. (33.7±0.6°C, 79±2.4% R.H.). During phase II, subjects in the creatine group ingested a carbohydrate/protein supplement containing 8.3 g/d of creatine. Prior to and following each phase of training, body weight, total body water via bioelectrical impedance, fasting blood, and 24-hr urine samples were obtained. During camp, pre-and post practice body weights were recorded on all players (n=100). Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Results revealed no significant interactions (p>0.05) between groups in total body weight, total body water; urine output, specific gravity; hematocrit, hemoglobin, blood volume, plasma volume or serum sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, total protein, and albumin. No significant differences were observed between creatine users and non-users in weight loss (kg or %) during practices. Results indicate that creatine supplementation during 25-d of preseason conditioning and 17-d of football camp in an hot/humid environment does not affect markers of fluid or electrolyte status. Supported by Experimental & Applied Sciences, Golden CO & University of Memphis.