EFFECTS OF INGESTING A SUPPLEMENT DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CREATINE UPTAKE ON BODY COMPOSITION DURING TRAINING 832

Abstract

Creatine supplementation has been reported to increase total body mass and/or fat free mass (FFM). Recent studies indicate that glucose, sodium and taurine may enhance creatine uptake. This study examined the effects of ingesting a supplement (Phosphagen HP™) containing creatine, glucose, taurine & electrolytes on body composition alterations during training. In a double-blind and randomized manner, 25 NCAA division IA football players were matched-paired and assigned to supplement their diet for 28 days with a placebo (P) containing 99 g/d of glucose, 3 g/d of taurine, 1.1 g/d of disodium phosphate and 1.2 g/d of potassium phosphate (P) or this glucose/electrolyte mixture with the addition of 15.75 g/d of HPCE pure creatine monohydrate (Cr). Subjects' training consisted of 5 hr/wk of resistance-training and 3 hr/wk of agility/sprint training. Total body weight, total body water, and body composition measurements were assessed on days 0 and 28 of supplementation using a digital scale, a Valhalla 1990b bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) and a Hologic QDR-2000 enhanced array dual energy x-ray absorpitometer (DEXA), respectively. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc analysis and are presented as mean±SEM changes from baseline for the P and Cr groups, respectively. Results revealed that total body weight significantly increased (p<0.05) in the Cr group (P 0.85±0.6; Cr 2.42±0.4 kg). No significant differences were observed in BIA determined total body water (P-0.04±0.2; Cr -0.01±0.2%). DEXA whole body analysis (excluding cranium) revealed that scanned body mass (P 1.34±0.8; Cr 2.22±0.5 kg) and FFM (P 1.33±0.3; Cr 2.43±0.4 kg) were significantly increased in the Cr group. No significant differences were observed in bone mass (P 22±11; Cr 48±17 g), fat mass (P-0.6±0.4; Cr -0.3±0.3 kg), or percent body fat (P-0.8±0.4; Cr -0.8±0.4%). Results indicate that ingestion of the Cr with glucose, taurine & electrolytes during training promoted greater gains in body mass and FFM in comparison to ingesting glucose, taurine and electrolytes alone. These changes could not be explained by increases in total body water. Results suggest that this nutritional strategy may be effective in enhancing gains in FFM during training. However, additional research is necessary.