Does Supplemental Creatine Decrease Rehabilitation Time In Young Adults With Immobilization Related Injuries?

Abstract

There is a paucity of research on using oral supplements to shorten rehabilitation times. Creatine monohydrate is a dietary supplement ingested orally in powder or tablet form, which has been used heavily by athletes and recreational enthusiasts over the last ten years in an effort to improve strength gains and reduce recovery times. We hypothesize using supplemental creatine as an adjunct to physical therapy interventions will decrease rehabilitation times by improving strength gains and decreasing adverse effects of immobilization. A systematic review of literature was conducted based on the scale provided by the Oxford Centre of Evidence‐based Medicine. The literature reviewed focused on beneficial effects of creatine, physiological pathways within the muscle cell, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potential health risks of creatine use. Based on the evidence gathered, we determined that creatine is effective during glycolysis for energy production, and also in the recovery period after high intensity exercise by reducing lactic acid production, sparing glycogen, promoting myogenic transcription and maintaining a stable environment for protein synthesis. We concluded that creatine might be beneficial as an adjunct to traditional physical therapy interventions in decreasing rehabilitation time.