Short term creatine loading without weight gain improves sprint, agility and leg strength performance in female futsal players

• Published in: Science & sports 2019-10, Vol.34 (5), p.321-327
• Main Authors: Atakan, M.M., Karavelioğlu, M.B., Harmancı, H., Cook, M., Bulut, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aide ergogénique; Athletes; Creatine; Créatine; Dietary supplements; Ergogenic aid; Female; Futsal; Féminines; Motor ability; Studies; Velocity; Weight control
• ISSN: 0765-1597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scispo.2018.11.003

Futsal game requires players to perform frequent bouts of high-intensity activity with limited rest periods that are not sufficient for full recovery. Therefore, creatine supplementation may enhance performance by improving recovery rate. Along with this, the number of studies conducted to determine the effects of creatine on performance in the females is scarce. Thus, the main aim of this study is to identify the effects of short-term (7/day) creatine supplementation on leg strength, velocity and agility in young female futsal players. A total of thirty of young female futsal players (aged: 19.83±1.13 years) participated in the study which was designed as randomized and double-blind, on a voluntary basis. Participants were randomly assigned either to creatine (n=15) or placebo (n=15) group. Over 7 days, creatine group received 0.25g/kg/day micronized pure creatine monohydrate (Creapure, Hardline Nutrition, Kavi Gıda Istanbul, Turkey) and placebo group did not take any supplements, apart from maltodextrin (Fantomalt, Nutricia, United Kingdom). Before and after 7 days of loading creatine supplementation, body weight, leg strength, velocity and agility performance of the participants were determined. The data obtained were analysed with ANCOVA statistical model. Creatine supplementation significantly improved 10m, 20m and 30m speed performances (P