Relationship Between Endogenous Creatine Levels and Maximal Upper Body Strength, Short Term Muscle Recovery and Body Fat In Males

Numerous studies have found creatine supplementation to positively enhance performance but no research found has examined the effects of endogenous creatine levels on performance. The purpose of this study was twofold. First we examined correlations between endogenous creatine levels and strength, absolute strength, short term muscle recovery and body fat. We also examined the effects of creatine supplementation with a sufficient washout period on plasma creatinine levels. Participants consisted of 24 healthy men who met with the experimenter twice over a 4 day period. Significant positive correlations (p .05) were found between creatine and strength, absolute strength, lean body mass and muscle recovery as a function of total weight lifted following 3 and 5 sets of the muscle fatigue protocol