| Summary: | <p>The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of creatine monohydrate
supplementation for improving sprint skating performance in competitive male ice
hockey players. In a double blind and randomized design, 17 ice hockey players were
supplemented with either 0.30 grams of creatine monohydrate (Cr) per kilogram of
body weight per day (n = 8; mean± SE, age= 20.3 ± 0.7 years), or a placebo (PI) (n =
6; age= 18.4 ± 0.4 years) for 5 days. One day prior to supplementation and one day
after supplementation subjects performed repeated sprint skating intervals on the
Frappier Acceleration Skating Treadmill. Testing consisted of skating at 16.1 km/hr at
a 15% elevation for 10 seconds, resting for 30 seconds and repeating the same
procedure until volitional fatigue. Blood lactate concentration (La) was taken at
baseline, after each odd numbered skating interval, and again upon volitional fatigue.
There was no significant difference in mean total skating time between groups prior to
treatment (45.2 ± 12.9 vs. 63.5 ± 12.4 seconds, PI vs. Cr). Post-test results showed no
significant difference in total skating time between groups ( 6 7.1 ± 23 .3 vs. 84.1 ± 14.0
seconds, PI vs. Cr). There were no significant differences in La concentration at
baseline, after any of the intervals, or fatigue between groups prior to and after
supplementation. In conclusion, in this study there was no objective evidence to
support the contention that Cr supplementation improves the ability to perform repeated
sprint skates in competitive male hockey players.</p>
|
|---|
