CREATINE DOES NOT INCREASE INCIDENCE OF CRAMPING OR INJURY DURING PRE-SEASON COLLEGE FOOTBALL TRAINING II

Abstract

1795 This study examined the effects creatine supplementation on the incidence of injury during preseason football training in relation to the percentage of creatine use among players. Division IA football players participated in this open label safety study. 34 of 77 athletes ingested a supplement containing 15.75 g/d of creatine for 5-d followed by 5.25 g/d of creatine for 20-d during pre-camp training. During the 17-d camp, 34 of 100 subjects ingested a carbohydrate/protein supplement containing 8.3 g/d of creatine. Remaining players were either former creatine users (> 1 month cessation) or non-users and were provided a carbohydrate/protein supplement containing no creatine. Pre-camp training 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). Subjects practiced 2 to 3 times per day (207 ± 17 min/d, 6 d/wk) in environmental conditions ranging from 29 to 37°C, 58 to 91% RH (33.7±0.6°C, 79±2.4% RH). Injuries treated by the athletic training staff were recorded and categorized as cramping, heat/dehydration, muscle tightness, muscle strains/pulls, non-contact joint injuries, contact injuries, and illness. In addition, the number of missed practices due to injury/illness were recorded. The percentage rate of occurrence for each category were calculated for creatine and non-creatine users. These rates were then subtracted from the usage rates of creatine among athletes during pre-camp (44%) and camp (34%) training phases. The values were then analyzed by 2×2 ANOVA Results revealed that overall injury incidence rate in the creatine users was significantly lower (14±6%, p=0.003) than the creatine use rate (34%). Further, that a significant interaction (p=0.003) was observed between groups with injury rates in the creatine group 36±7% lower than use rate during pre-camp training and 3.4 ± 5% lower than use rates during camp. An inverse relationship was observed in the non-users group. Results indicate that creatine supplementation during intense training may reduce the incidence of injury particularly during the pre-camp training phase. Supported by Experimental & Applied Sciences, Golden CO & University of Memphis.