Short-term oral creatine supplementation in professional football players: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a short-term oral creation (Cr) supplementation on body mass and maximal performance in professional soccer players. Using a double blind randomised placebo-controlled trial, 16 male professional soccer players (8 Cr, mean age, 22.5 years; 8 placebo, 22.8 years), highly trained, were tested before (T1) and after (T2) a five days oral Cr (or placebo) supplementation (20 g per day). Body mass (kg) was measured, and peak power (W) was calculated from vertical distance jumped during a vertical jump test. From pre (T1) to post (T2) supplementation, mean body mass increased from 78.1 kg (± 7.2) to 79.8 kg (± 7.7) in the Cr group, and slightly decreased from 77.6 kg (± 5.9) to 77.4 kg (± 6.6) in the placebo group. For peak power, participants in the Cr group increased after Cr supplementation from 4728.7 W (± 607.7) to 4854.4 W (± 581.0), while peak power in the placebo group decreased from 4420.5 W (± 408.9) to 4299.2 W (± 558.7). Significant time (pre vs. post supplementation) by group (Cr vs. placebo) interactions indicated that changes in both body mass and peak power were significantly (p ≤ 0.01) greater in the Cr group compared with the placebo group. A five days oral Cr supplementation was shown to increases body mass and peak power in professional soccer players. Short term Cr supplementation could be recommended for its ergogenic effect to professional soccer players in order to enhance their peak power and consequently their performance.