Putting the Myth of Creatine Supplementation Leading to Muscle Cramps and Dehydration to Rest

Vincent James Dalbo ^1*, Mike Roberts ¹, Chad Kerksick ¹ and Jeff Stout ¹

¹ University of Oklahoma, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: vinnyjames{at}ou.edu.

Accepted 3 November 2007

Abstract

Abstract Creatine is one of the most popular athletic supplements with sales surpassing 400 million dollars in 2004. Due to the popularity and efficacy of creatine supplementation over 200 studies have examined the effects of creatine on athletic performance. Despite the abundance of research suggesting the effectiveness and safety of creatine a fallacy appears to exist in the general public driven by media claims and anecdotal reports that creatine supplementation can result in muscle cramps and dehydration. Although, a number of published studies have refuted these claims, a recent position statement by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in 2001 advised individuals who are managing their weight and exercising intensely or in hot environments to avoid creatine supplementation. Recent reports now suggest that creatine may enhance performance in hot and or humid conditions by maintaining hematocrit, aiding thermoregulation and reducing exercising heart rate and sweat rate. Creatine may also positively influence plasma volume during the onset of dehydration. Considering these new published findings, little evidence exists that creatine supplementation in the heat presents additional risk and should be taken into consideration as position statements and other related documents are published.

Key Words: creatine supplementation, muscle cramping, dehydration

Key Words: cramping, creatine, dehydration

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