Effects of creatine supplementation with and without exercise and diet intervention on body composition, cognitive function, and markers of health in middle-aged and older adults.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual double-blind randomized trial for the supplement intervention
PubMed 42578920 · doi:10.1080/15502783.2026.2716273
What was done
Seventy-three healthy sedentary adults aged 45–65 self-selected into either a non-exercise track or an exercise-plus-diet track. Within each track, participants were randomized in a double-blind, counterbalanced design to receive creatine monohydrate (2 × 5 g/day) or a maltodextrin placebo for 12 weeks. Sixty-four participants (mean age 54.5 ± 6.2 years; 40 females, 24 males) completed the study. Outcomes measured at 0, 6, and 12 weeks included DXA body composition, fasting blood lipids, HbA1c, and a battery of cognitive and memory tests.
What was found
The abstract reports directional findings but provides no specific numerical data, effect sizes, or p-values. In the non-exercise group, creatine increased lean tissue mass, strength, and muscular endurance, while showing favorable changes in blood lipids, HbA1c, and selected cognitive and memory markers. In the exercise-plus-diet group, creatine increased lean mass, produced greater body fat percentage reductions, and improved strength, endurance, and selected cognitive markers. Supplementation was reported to be well-tolerated.
Why it matters
This indicates that creatine monohydrate may help preserve muscle mass, strength, and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults even in the absence of structured exercise, while enhancing body composition adaptations when combined with exercise and dietary interventions.
Limits
Participants self-selected their exercise and diet track rather than being randomized to it, introducing potential baseline behavioral confounding. The sample size is modest (n = 64). The abstract omits exact numerical values, effect sizes, and confidence intervals, and the authors explicitly note that individual cognitive and biomarker outcomes are exploratory. The trial lasted only 12 weeks, leaving long-term durability and safety unassessed.
Cited by
- contradicts Creatine supplementation in the absence of an exercise stimulus does not increase muscle mass.