Caffeine Potentiates the Ergogenic Effects of Creatine

• Published in: Journal of exercise physiology online 2017-12, Vol.20 (6), p.66
• Main Authors: Jeronimo, Diego Pereira, Germano, Moises Diego, Fiorante, Fabio Baccin, Boreli, Leandro, da Silva Neto, Luiz Vieira, de Souza, Renato Aparecido, da Silva, Fabiano Fernandes, de Morais, Antonio Carlos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Caffeine; Creatine; Dietary supplements; Electromyography; Exercise; Health aspects; Knee
• ISSN: 1097-9751; 1097-9751

Jeronimo DP, Germano MD, Fiorante FB, Boreli L, Neto LVS, Souza RA, Silva FF, Morais AC. Caffeine Potentiates the Ergogenic Effects of Creatine. JEPonline 2017;20(6):66-77. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of caffeine on creatine supplementation on electromyographic activity and torque. Sixteen males were supplemented with caffeine (6 mg*[kg.sup.-1]) and creatine (3 g). They did the knee extension test on the isokinetic dynamometer while electromyographic activity was monitored. The caffeine group achieved 4.57% increase in EMG activity and 4.25% increase in torque. The creatine group achieved a 17.07% decrease in the EMG activity and a 3.45% increase in torque. The caffeine and creatine group achieved a 3.07% increase in EMG activity and a 5.79% increase in torque. The findings indicate that the consumption of caffeine at 6 mg*[kg.sup.-1] in association with 3 g of creatine for 7 days generated a significant improvement in performance, increased the production of torque, and improved the EMG muscle activity. Thus, it is more than reasonable to conclude that caffeine potentiates the effects of creatine during a physical exercise. Key Words: Creatine, Caffeine, Dietary Supplements, Performance