CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ENHANCES THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THE LOAD AND REDUCES MUSCLE DAMAGE IN STRENGTH TRAINING PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

Creatine supplementation (Cr) has been widely used by athletes and practitioners of resistance exercises to improve physical performance and muscle recovery. Despite this, not all of its effects are completely known, especially in the context of the protective effect of cargo (EPC). This study investigated whether Cr supplementation can enhance CPE and reduce markers of muscle damage in 20 healthy men who had been practicing bodybuilding for more than six months (age: 26 ± 7 years; body mass: 81.3 ± 9.2 kg; height: 177 ± 0.07 cm). Participants were randomly divided into two groups: creatine supplementation (CRE) and placebo (PLA). The CRE group received 20 g of creatine monohydrate per day (4 doses of 5 g), while the PLA group received maltodextrin at the same dosage. The experimental protocol was conducted over 25 days and included strength tests (1RM in the bicep curl exercise on the Scott bench), blood collection for creatine kinase (CK) analysis, and evaluation of delayed muscle soreness (DOM) perception. The results showed that Cr supplementation significantly reduced the perception of pain after the first and second exercise sessions, in addition to promoting a more attenuated response of CK levels compared to the PLA group. The CRE group also showed a significant increase in total body mass (TCM), which was not observed in the PLA group. These findings indicate that Cr supplementation can potentiate EPC, reducing exercise-induced muscle damage and aiding in the continuity of strength training programs. Future studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms associated with these effects.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.001-011