Effect of creatine supplementation on muscle capacity in individuals with multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Journal of dietary supplements Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 20
• Main Authors: Malin, Steven K, Cotugna, Nancy, Fang, Cheng-Shun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 2008
• Subjects: Adult; Creatine - administration & dosage; Creatine - pharmacology; Creatine - therapeutic use; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Knee; Knee Joint; Male; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis - physiopathology; Muscle Strength - drug effects; Muscle Weakness - drug therapy; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Resistance Training
• ISSN: 1939-022X
• DOI: 10.1080/19390210802328974

There has been interest in the use of exogenous creatine (Cr) as an adjunct treatment for neurological disorders. Creatine enhances bouts of activity through augmenting phosphocreatine for increased synthesis of ATP; however, multiple sclerosis (MS) individuals suffering from muscle weakness have not been shown to improve muscle work after 5 days of Cr supplementation. This study's purpose was to determine whether the extended duration would increase muscle capacity. In a double-blind, crossover trial, with a 3-week washout period, eleven MS subjects were randomly assigned to either Cr (5 g 4/day, day 1-7: 2.5 g 2/day, day 8-14) or placebo groups for two 14-day periods. Biodex Dynamometer recorded total work and power over three bouts of 30 maximal knee extensions and flexions. Total work was nonsignificant with Cr for knee extension (pretest 1277.7 ± 214.9 J vs. posttest = 1313.14 ± 200.5 J; p = 0.81) and flexion (pretest = 1220.7 ± 200.5 J vs. posttest = 1302.10 J ± 189.64 J; p = 0.93). Creatine did not enhance muscle power in knee extension (p = 0.31; pretest = 82.1 ± 12.7 W vs. posttest = 87.7 ± 12.6 W) or flexion (p = 0.29; pretest = 75.3 ± 12.1 W vs. posttest = 81.2 ± 11.1 W). Therefore, 14 days of Cr supplementation did not improve muscle capacity or habitual fatigue in MS individuals.