Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2000

Thesis Director

John D. (Jake) Emmett

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to see if creatine supplementation increased muscular strength in women. Ten females were assigned to either a creatine (CG) or a placebo (PG) group with five subjects in each. The study lasted five weeks with one week of pre-testing, three weeks of creatine use which included one week of loading (12-13 g/day for seven days) and two weeks of maintenance (3-4 g/day for 14 days), and one week of post testing. Pre- and post-test strength were measured with a one repetition maximal lift (1RM) on the bench press and the leg press. All subjects were required to perform a 20-minute warm-up before 1RM measurements to help avoid injury. Each subject then completed two warm-up sets with the bench press or leg press to prepare the working muscle for the 1RM test. After warm-up sets, each subject then completed one repetition lifts until their max lift was attained. Subjects were required to rest a minimum of two minutes in between lifts. No subject performed more than four, one repetition lifts. Over the course of the three-week study, all subjects performed similar workout routines. The results of the post-test 1RM values were not significant between the two groups. The CG increased their mean leg press 1RM (70 ± 47.2 lbs.) and mean bench press 1RM (12 ± 2.2 lbs.). The PG increased their mean leg press 1RM (56 ± 12.7 lbs) and mean bench press 1RM (8 ± 2.8 lbs). Although the PG started and ended with a greater 1RM, the CG displayed a larger mean relative average than did the PG. The CG increased their relative average for the bench press and leg press by 11.3% and 18.6%, respectively compared to the PI increases of 6.5%, 13.2%, respectively. It is concluded that three weeks of creatine supplementation in women failed to significantly increase leg press and bench press strength greater than a placebo.

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