Effect of 12 months of creatine supplementation and whole-body resistance training on measures of bone, muscle and strength in older males.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 33234019 · doi:10.1177/0260106020975247
What was done
Older men aged 49–69 years were randomized to receive either creatine (0.1 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹, n = 18) or placebo (0.1 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹, n = 20) for 12 months alongside supervised, whole-body resistance training. The study evaluated bone mineral density, bone geometric properties, bone speed of sound, lean tissue mass, fat mass, muscle thickness, muscle strength, and adverse events.
What was found
Both groups experienced similar changes over 12 months in bone mineral density and geometry, bone speed of sound, lean tissue and fat mass, muscle thickness, and muscle strength. The only between-group difference noted was a statistical trend for increased section modulus of the femoral neck narrow part in the creatine group compared to placebo (p = 0.061). Adverse event rates did not differ between groups. Absolute outcome values and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that long-term creatine supplementation does not enhance the skeletal or muscular adaptations achieved through supervised resistance training alone in older males.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 38 total), limiting statistical power to detect modest group differences. The study included only older males, precluding generalization to females or populations with overt osteopenia or sarcopenia. Precise numerical data and effect estimates were omitted from the abstract.
Cited by
- context Creatine inhibits osteoclast activity and bone resorption, demonstrating anti-resorptive properties similar to bisphosphonates.