Effectiveness of Creatine Supplementation and Exercise on Muscle and Bone

University of Saskatchewan

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Osteoporosis; Sarcopenia

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: sugar placebo; Dietary Supplement: creatine monohydrate

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01057680

09-169

Details and patient eligibility

About

As we age, we experience a reduction in muscle and bone which inevitably decreases strength and the ability to perform tasks of daily living such as gardening, carrying groceries, and climbing stairs. Health costs associated with aging muscle and bone loss are in the billions of dollars. With the projected increase in life expectancy, the incidence of muscle and bone loss will rise and further drain the healthcare system, with greater need for hospitalization, treatment, and rehabilitation. Without effective strategies to counteract aging muscle and bone loss, we may face a healthcare crisis in the future. Creatine, a compound found in red meat and seafood, increases creatine phosphate stores in muscle, providing increased energy during high-intensity exercise. Short-term (i.e. 3-4 months) resistance-exercise and supplementation with creatine, have been shown to have a favorable effect on properties of aging muscle and bone. However, the longer-term (i.e. 1 year) effects of these interventions are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this innovative research is to determine the longer-term effects of resistance-exercise and creatine supplementation (0.1g•kg-1) in older adults. The primary dependent variables to be assessed will include muscle hypertrophy, bone mineral and bone geometry, strength, and urinary and blood indicators of liver and kidney function. This innovative, multidisciplinary research will help contribute to the successful pursuit of prolonged independent living by improving aging musculoskeletal health for older Saskatchewan adults. Saskatchewan provides a relevant setting for this research, given the higher percentage of older adults (15%), compared to the national average (12%).

We hypothesize that creatine supplementation will increase muscle mass, strength, and bone mineral density more than placebo.

Enrollment: 90 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• greater than or equal to 50 years of age
• males or postmenopausal females
• not currently participating in resistance training

Exclusion criteria

• pre-existing kidney abnormalities
• previous fragility fractures
• history of taking medications that affect bone mineral density in the past year including bisphosphonates, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, hormone replacement therapy, or corticosteroids (i.e. within the past year)
• suffer from severe osteoarthritis
• have taken creatine supplementation within the past 6 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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90 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

creatine

Experimental group

Description:

This arm will involve creatine supplementation 0.1 g per kg body mass per day while participating in a resistance training program (1 hour per day, 3 days per week).

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: creatine monohydrate

Sugar

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

This arm will involve placebo (maltodextrin) given every day while the participant does a resistance training program (1 hour per day, 3 days per week).

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: sugar placebo