Creatine Supplementation May Attenuate the Decrement in Exercise Performance during Low Carbohydrate Diets in Recreationally Trained Individuals Original Research
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Keywords
high-intensity exercise, exercise tolerance, repeated-bout
Abstract
Introduction: Low carbohydrate (L-CHO) diets may be an effective means for weight loss; however, these L-CHO diets often result in decreases in exercise performance during high-intensity, interval exercise test (HIIET).
Methods: Nineteen, healthy, recreationally active adults participated in this study. Subjects were assigned to one of three groups: control (CON), L-CHO diet w/ placebo (L-CHO), or L-CHO diet w/ creatine supplementation (L-CHO+Cr). Subjects performed HIIET to fatigue at 90% peak power output (PPO) with a 1:1 work-to-recovery ratio of 30 s. Dietary intervention consisted of <30% total intake of carbohydrates, while creatine supplementation consisted of a standard loading dose (20 g/day) or placebo (5 g/day).
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in HIIET performance (# of intervals completed) in the L-CHO+Cr group (Pre-: 28.9 ± 18.6; Post-: 32.4 ± 18.3, p > 0.05). When expressed as a % change from pre-dietary intervention, L-CHO resulted in the greatest decrease in HIIET performance (L-CHO: -35 ± 14; CON: 12 ± 10; L-CHO+Cr: 31 ± 11 % change from pre-, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The addition of a standard loading dose of creatine during a L-CHO diet may help to attenuate the decrement in HIIET performance.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright, 2024 by the authors. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Stephanie A. Born, University of Findlay
Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience, and Health Sciences
Director of Exercise Science, Associate Professor
Timothy R. Rotarius, Coastal Carolina University
Department of Kinesiology
Assistant Professor
Emily Van Wasshenova, Oakland University
Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Coordinator, Assistant Professor
Jakob D. Lauver, Coastal Carolina University
Department of Kinesiology
Chair, Associate Professor
John R. Thistlethwaite, Wittenberg University
Department of Health, Fitness, and Sport
Associate Professor
Barry W. Scheuermann, University of Toledo
Department of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Professor