Effects of creatine loading on rowing performance in male competitive rowers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of creatine loading on rowing performance in well-trained male competitive rowers (age 19.4±0.2 yr, height 182.2±1.2 cm, weight 76.6±1.1 kg, mean ± SE). Twenty subjects were randomly separated into creatine (n=10) or placebo group (n=10). Subjects performed simulated 2000 m rowing race and 20 sec maximal rowing on a rowing ergometer, before and after 6 days of creatine (20 g of creatine monohydrate plus 4 g of lactose per day) or placebo (24 g of lactose per day) ingestion, The creatine and placebo were administered in a double-blind research design. Performance time for 2000 m rowing was improved significantly from 407.9±5.3 sec to 404.7±5.4 sec (p<0.01) in the creatine group, but no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. No significant changes were observed in power output during 20 sec maximal rowing in either groups. These results suggest that creatine loading can enhance performance in simulated 2000 m rowing race in well-trained competitive male rowers but has no beneficial effect on 20 sec maximal rowing.