Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021
Research snapshot:
2022 scoping review finds creatine supplementation boosts muscle growth in healthy young populations.
2022 |
Scoping Review |
Creatine |
Muscle Growth |
Overview.
This scoping review evaluates the effects of creatine supplementation on muscle growth across various populations, highlighting its benefits in young adults but mixed results in older and disease-affected populations.
Background.
A team of researchers associated with China Medical University, National Taiwan University of Sport, and Yuanrung Hospital conducted this study, which was published in the journal Nutrients.
Objectives.
The primary objective was to explore the current evidence regarding the effect of creatine supplementation on muscle growth in different populations, including healthy young subjects, trained athletes, older individuals, and those with diseases. The study aimed to provide recommendations for future research and to understand the efficacy of creatine supplementation in various contexts.
Study design.
This scoping review used Arksey and O’Malley’s framework to analyze 16 randomized controlled trials published between 2012 and 2021. The trials were identified through searches in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The study included 456 participants, with diverse groups such as healthy untrained young subjects, healthy trained young subjects, mimic immobilization subjects, healthy untrained older subjects, and subjects with diseases. Methodological quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) quality assessment tool.
Results.
The review found that creatine supplementation significantly increased muscle strength, muscle mass, and athletic performance in healthy young populations, both trained and untrained. However, it had limited or no benefits in older populations and those with diseases. Creatine was effective in increasing lower limb muscle density in older subjects but did not preserve muscle mass or strength during immobilization. The results also highlighted conflicting evidence on the effect of creatine on muscle damage and recovery.
Conclusions.
Creatine supplementation is effective for muscle growth in healthy young populations with adequate training. However, high-level evidence is lacking for its efficacy in older populations and those with muscle-related diseases. Future research should focus on injury prevention and medical applications of creatine supplementation.
Original paper.
Wu SH, Chen KL, Hsu C, Chen HC, Chen JY, Yu SY, Shiu YJ. Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 16;14(6):1255. doi: 10.3390/nu14061255. PMID: 35334912; PMCID: PMC8949037.
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