Creatine Supplementation Plus Aerobic Training

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that creatine supplementation can improve performance in intermittent high intensity and short term exercise. Recently, some findings have indicated that creatine supplementation affects glucose metabolism. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of creatine supplementation plus aerobic training on glucose tolerance in sedentary healthy male METHODS: Subjects (n=16) were randomly divided in two groups in a double-blind fashion: 1) creatine (CR-dose: 0.3g/day/kg of body weight for the first week, and 0.15g/day/kg of body weight for the next three months); 2) placebo (PL-equal amount of dextrose). Both groups underwent moderate aerobic training, three times for week, 40 minutes for session. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and fasting insulin was assessed at baseline (PRE), after four (POST 4), eight (POST 8) and twelve weeks (POST 12). RESULTS: Glucose tolerance was similar between groups at PRE. However, CR demonstrated significant decrease in the area under the curve (from OGTT) at the moments POST 4, 8 and 12 (PRE: 15675 ± 2170 mg/dl/min; POST 4: 13525 ± 1698 mg/dl/min; POST 8: 12515 ± 1712 mg/dl/min; POST 12: 13000 ± 2177mg/dl/min; p < 0.05). This difference was not observed among PL. Furthermore, the peak plasma glucose was reduced in CR at POST 4 when compared to PL (CR: 115vs.PL: 167 mg/dl; p=0.04). No significant differences are noted in fasting insulin. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that creatine supplementation plus aerobic training can improve glucose tolerance, but not affects fasting insulin. These findings can lead to future research with diabetics subjects.