Table 2. Summary of the research reporting an ergogenic effect following creatine supplementation.

Study

Protocol

Subjects

Creatine Dose

Exercise Performance

Delecluse et al.
2003

Running                    
2 x 40 m sprint runs
5 min rec   
6 x 40 m sprint runs
30 s rec

12 highly trained nationally ranked
100 m & 200 m
sprinters M & F

0.35 g·kg-1 ·d-1 x 6-d

No effect on sprint velocity.
0.3 kg
BM n.s

Biwer et al. 2001

Running Treadmill
intervals
20 min Constant spd
 15% grade x 2 min
0% grade
x 2 min

15 collegiate
soccer players
M & F

0.3 g·kg-1 x 6-d

No effect on sub-maximal
treadmill performance
interspersed with high-
intensity intervals.

Significant
BM 1.2 kg (M)

Finn et al. 2001

Cycling 
4 x 20 s max sprints
20 s rec between
sprints

16 regional class triathletes

20 g/d x 5-d

No effect on multiple sprint
cycle performance with
intervening 20 s rest periods. Significant
BM 0.81 kg

Wilder et al. 2001

Resistance
Exercise               Progressive weight
training 4 x wk; 
10 wks

25 highly trained
M collegiate
football players

a)  3 g·d-1;
b)  20 g/d x 3-d + 5
g/d
x 10 wks

No effect on 1-RM squat strength. Significant ­ FFM (a) 2.46 kg (b) 1.79 kg

Gilliam et al. 2000

Isokinetic Knee
Extension 
5 x 30 MVC 
1 min rec between
sets

23 active but
untrained M

20 g/d x 5-d

No effect on maintaining
peak isokinetic torque.

Significant
BM 0.86 kg

Deutekom et al. 2000

Isokinetic Knee
Extension 
 2 x 40 MVC             Cycling  
2 x 30 s max sprint

23 well trained
rowers M

20 g/d x 6-d

No effect on muscle
performance or maximal
output during sprint cycling.
SignificantBM 1.6 kg

Francaux & Poortmans 1999

Resistance Exercise Isokinetic squat Periodized 3 x wk; 
6 wks

25 active but
untrained M

21 g/d x 5-d + 3 g/d x
58-d

No effect on mean force development.
Significant
BM 2 kg

Snow et al. 1998

Cycling  
1 x 20 s max sprint

8 active but
untrained M

30 g/d x 3-d

No change to measurement
of power.
SignificantBM
~1 kg

Odland et al. 1997

Cycling  
30 s Wingate test

9 active but
untrained M

20 g/d x 3-d

No effect on any recorded exercise measures

Burke et al. 1996

Swimming  
25 m, 50 m, 100 m
swim, 10 s maximal
leg ergometry test

32 national & international
swimmers 
M & F

20 g/d x 5-d

No significant differences between group means for sprint times or 10 s maximal leg ergometry power & work.

Mujika et al. 1996

Swimming
3 x 25 m
 3 x 50 m
 3 x 100 m

20 national & international
swimmers
M & F

20 g/d x 5-d

No significant effect on performance. Significant
BM 0.7 kg

Abbreviations: M = Male; F = Female; RM = Repetition maximum; MxS = Maximal strength; RPRT = Repeated sprint running test; MDRT = Maximal multistage discontinuous incremental running test; CMJT = Counter-movement jump test;
IET = Intermittent endurance test; BC = Body composition; BM = Body mass; FFM = Fat free mass; MAOD = Maximal accumulated oxygen deficit; rec = Recovery