The effects of creatine loading on oxygen uptake rate

Creatine (Cr) is a nonessential nutrient found in high abundance in meat and fish. It is synthesized within the body, primarily in the liver, from two amino acids by a two step reaction. Cr supplementation has become a common practice among professional, elite, college students, amateur and recreational athletes with the expectation of enhancing exercise performance. It has recently been demonstrated that regimens of Cr loading can increase the intramuscular levels of phosphocreatine and primarily free Cr in humans. Associated with the increments in total Cr, some studies have reported increases in anaerobic and aerobic performance after Cr supplementation, although others have not found significiant changes. The primary aim of this study is to analyse the influnce of creatine supplementation on the rate of oxygen consumption. It is thought that creatine supplementation will reduce oxygen consumption. Through creatine supplementation, creatininephosphate may be applied to ATP resynthesis in large amounts. As a result of which the necessity for oxygen consumption lessens. 16 people, the test group, at the age of 21.31±1.99 on the average, and 14 students, the control group, at the age of 22.49±1.52 on the average, have participated in the study. To those in the test group were first given powdered milk as plasebo, then they were loaded with creatine (4x5g/day-5days). Before and after both applications (pre-test and final test), maximum oxygen consumption of the subjects during exercise, their baseline oxygen consumption and carbondioxide production and some of their parameters such as weight, body mass index, thigh circumference, fat percentage, body water, heart rate, blood lactate, blood creatinine and urine creatinine have been measured. Control group, without being given anyting, was Bruce-tested twice within 5 days. In the test group, as a result of creatine loading, ıt has been observed that body mass, body mass index, total body water, muscle mass, thigh circumference (p<0.01) and fat mass (p<0.05) have increased. Creatine loading has caused no change in the maximum oxygen consumption (p>0.05). serum creatinine (p<0.01) and post exercise 24 hour urine creatinine values have increased through creatine loading. Key Words: Creatine, maximum oxygen consumption, weight, creatinine