Creatine monoydrate supplementation safe for athletes
August 30, 2010 by Ryan Irwin · Leave a Comment
Recently there were some student athletes in Oregon due to rhabdomyolysis (i.e., a rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injury that typically presents with marked elevations in the enzyme creatine kinase [CK] in the blood). It is well known that excessive exercise in hot and humid environments can promote dehydration, muscle breakdown, and result in marked elevations in muscle CK levels. In severe instances, this may lead to exertional rhabdomyolysis particularly in athletes who have been engaged in intense exercise in hot and humid environments for several days and who become chronically dehydrated. The athletes were not allowed to drink during workouts and the temperatures got as high as 115-120 degrees F.
Of course, the media was quick to jump on the finger-pointing wagon and say that investigators are looking into whether creatine was linked to the incident eve though the athletes stated they were not using this supplement. In addition, creatine is very safe and has not been scientifically indicated to cause dehydration, cramping or other muscle injuries.
Below is a positional statement from the International Society of Sports Nutrition complete article published in the JISSN here:
1. Creatine monohydrate is the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available to athletes in terms of increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training.
2. Creatine monohydrate supplementation is not only safe, but possibly beneficial in regard to preventing injury and/or management of select medical conditions when taken within recommended guidelines.
3. There is no scientific evidence that the short- or long-term use of creatine monohydrate has any detrimental effects on otherwise healthy individuals.
4. If proper precautions and supervision are provided, supplementation in young athletes is acceptable and may provide a nutritional alternative to potentially dangerous anabolic drugs.
5. At present, creatine monohydrate is the most extensively studied and clinically effective form of creatine for use in nutritional supplements in terms of muscle uptake and ability to increase high-intensity exercise capacity.
6. Creatine monohydrate has been reported to have a number of potentially beneficial uses in several clinical populations, and further research is warranted in these areas.
Again, as always, we look to science and published studies for results verses “gym lore” and clever marketing schemes. Creatine has been extensively studied since the early 1990s and no negative health side effects have been reported. Exercising in extreme heat without fluid? Now that’s a different story.
-Ryan Irwin
Nutri-Sport & Full Potential Training
9992 Swanson Blvd
Clive, IA 50325
www.nutrisportfpt.com
515-331-2141
