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Creatine supplementation and strength training: alterations in the resultant of dynamic maximum strength and anthropometric variables in college students submitted to 8 weeks of strength training (hypertrophy)

OBJECTIVE: To verify the alterations promoted by creatine supplementation in the anthropometric variables and the resultant of dynamic maximum strength (RDMS) in college students submitted to 8 wk of strength training. METHODOLOGY: The sample consisted of 18 male college students, aged between 19 to 25 years. Height (cm), body mass (kg) and tests of maximum voluntary muscular action (1MVMA) weight in the squat were determined prior to the training. The subjects were divided in two groups: A (creatine) or B (placebo).The double-blind protocol was adopted. After 8 weeks of strength training, the tests battery from the pre-training was repeated. RESULTS: After 8 wk of training, it was verified that both groups had statistically significant (SS) alterations in the RDMS in all the exercises (p = 0.007 / 0.008). The analysis of the percentile improvement (PI) and the RDMS delta in the squat exercises, military press and close-grip-extensions, showed that group A had positive SS alterations higher than group B (p = 0.008 / 0.038). Lean body mass only SS increased in group A (p = 0.038). However, the percentage of body fat did not show alterations in none of the groups. The relationship between the PI of the arm and forearm circumferences (C) and the PI in the RDMS of the development exercise was SS (r = 0.481 and 0.546, respectively), as well as between the PI in the thigh C and the PI of the RDMS of the squat exercise (r = 0.619). CONCLUSION: Regardless the substance ingested, strength training was able to increase in RDMS; however, creatine supplementation was shown to be more efficient that the placebo, showing higher percentual and delta improvement in strength.

Sports nutrition; Physical training; Ergogenic aid


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