The Effect of Creatine on Muscle Loss

The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Muscle Loss During Immobilisation

The primary aim of this study is to determine the effect of creatine supplementation on muscle mass loss during short-term immobilisation in healthy, young people.

Seven days of one-legged knee immobilisation in young subjects with creatine or Placebo supplementation. A randomly selected leg is immobilized for seven days. Muscle mass and strength will be determined and muscle biopsies will be collected before and immediately after immobilisation. A week after the cast is removed we will assess any differences in recovery between intervention groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Aged from 18-35 years
• 18.5 < BMI < 30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• (Family) history of thrombosis
• Smoking
• Recent surgery
• Performing regular resistance training more than once per week in the past year
• Any back/leg/knee/shoulder complaints which may interfere with the use of crutches
• Current systemic use of corticosteroids, growth hormone, testosterone, immunosuppressants or insulin
• All co-morbidities interacting with mobility and muscle metabolism of the lower limbs (e.g. arthritis, spasticity/rigidity, all neurological disorders and paralysis)
• Use of anti-coagulants
• Pre-existing renal disease or those with a potential risk for renal dysfunction (diabetes, hypertension, reduced glomerular filtration rate)