The effect of creatine monohydrate supplementation on obstacle course and multiple bench press performance

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2002-11, Vol.16 (4), p.500-508
• Main Authors: Warber, John P, Tharion, William J, Patton, John F, Champagne, Catherine M, Mitotti, Peter, Lieberman, Harris R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Anthropometry; Body Composition - drug effects; Case-Control Studies; Creatine - administration & dosage; Dietary Supplements; Exercise Test; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Endurance - drug effects; Physical Exertion - drug effects; Probability; Reference Values; Sensitivity and Specificity; Weight Lifting
• ISSN: 1064-8011
• DOI: 10.1519/00124278-200211000-00003

Dietary creatine (Cr) supplementation has been shown to enhance muscular strength and endurance. This study determined the effects of Cr supplementation on performance of military training tasks. Two groups (Cr and placebo [Pl]) of 13 male soldiers each performed 3 consecutive military obstacle course runs ( approximately 3 minutes over 7 obstacles with a 2-minute rest between runs) followed by a rifle marksmanship task on 3 occasions (T(1), T(2), and T(3)), each separated by 5 days. They also completed a bench press protocol (5 sets to failure at 70% of 1 repetition maximum) and answered the Profile of Mood States questionnaire during each test session. Testing was done 3 times. No supplementation was given before T(1). Supplementation was provided using sports bars, with both groups receiving Pl bars between T(1) and T(2), whereas from T(2) to T(3) the Cr group consumed 24 g per day of Cr monohydrate in sports bars and the Pl group consumed an equal amount (kilocalories) of Pl sports bars. Creatine usage resulted in a significant (14%) increase in total bench press repetitions (p