Effectiveness of Creatine Supplementation and Exercise on Muscle and Bone

Potential of Resistance-Exercise and Creatine Supplementation on Aging Musculoskeletal Health

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sarcopenia; Osteoporosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: creatine monohydrate; Dietary supplement: sugar placebo

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 90
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Saskatchewan
    • Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, S4S 0A2
      • Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
    • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N 5B2
      • College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 50 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: creatine; 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).	Dietary supplement: creatine monohydrate; Powder, 0.1 g per day, 12 months; Other Names: Rivalus
Placebo Comparator: Sugar; 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).	Dietary supplement: sugar placebo; powder, 0.1 g/day, 12 months

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Lumbar spine bone mineral density	Baseline and 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Proximal femur bone mineral density	Baseline and 12 months
Whole body bone mineral density	baseline and 12 months
lean tissue mass	baseline and 12 months
Muscular strength	baseline and 12 months
Muscle thickness	baseline and 12 months
Bone speed of sound	Baseline and 12 months
bone geometry	baseline and 12 months
Complete blood count	baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months
Liver enzymes	baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months
kidney function (creatinine clearance)	baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Candow DG, Chilibeck PD, Gordon JJ, Kontulainen S. Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Area and Density of Bone and Muscle in Older Adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021 Nov 1;53(11):2388-2395. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002722.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2012
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 26, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): January 27, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 27, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 26, 2012
• Last Verified: December 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Bone; Kidney; Strength; Liver; Creatine; Muscle
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Metabolic Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Bone Diseases; Muscular Atrophy; Atrophy; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Sarcopenia; Osteoporosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: 09-169