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. 2007 Nov 26:4:20.
doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-4-20.

Effects of creatine loading on electromyographic fatigue threshold during cycle ergometry in college-aged women

Abbie E Smith  1 , Ashley A Walter, Trent J Herda, Eric D Ryan, Jordan R Moon, Joel T Cramer, Jeffrey R Stout
Affiliations

Effects of creatine loading on electromyographic fatigue threshold during cycle ergometry in college-aged women

Abbie E Smith et al. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. .

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 5 days of Creatine (Cr) loading on the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) in college-aged women. Fifteen healthy college-aged women (mean +/- SD = 22.3 +/- 1.7 yrs) volunteered to participate in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study and were randomly placed into either placebo (PL - 10 g of flavored dextrose powder; n = 8) or creatine (Cr - 5 g di-creatine citrate plus 10 g of flavored dextrose powder; n = 7; Creatine Edge, FSI Nutrition) loading groups. Each group ingested one packet 4 times per day (total of 20 g/day) for 5 days. Prior to and following supplementation, each subject performed a discontinuous incremental cycle ergometer test to determine their EMGFT value, using bipolar surface electrodes placed on the longitudinal axis of the right vastus lateralis. Subjects completed a total of four, 60 second work bouts (ranging from 100-350 W). The EMG amplitude was averaged over 10 second intervals and plotted over the 60 second work bout. The resulting slopes from each successive work bouts were used to calculate EMGFT. A two-way ANOVA (group [Cr vs. PL] x time [pre vs. post]) resulted in a significant (p = 0.031) interaction. Furthermore, a dependent samples t-test showed a 14.5% +/- 3.5% increase in EMGFT from pre- to post-supplementation with Cr (p = 0.009), but no change for the PL treatment (-2.2 +/- 5.8%; p = 0.732). In addition, a significant increase (1.0 +/- 0.34 kg; p = 0.049) in weight (kg) was observed in the Cr group but no change for PL (-0.2 kg +/- 0.2 kg). These findings suggest that 5 days of Cr loading in women may be an effective strategy for delaying the onset of neuromuscular fatigue during cycle ergometry.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
a. The relationship between EMG amplitude and time for the four power outputs used in the EMGFT test for subject 5C. The greatest slope was a result from the highest power output. b. The relationship for the power outputs versus slope coefficients with the y-intercept defined as the EMGFT for subject 5C.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The effect of creatine supplementation on Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold (EMGFT; W) from pre- to post-treatment. Values are presented as mean ± SD. *The post-supplemented mean EMGFT is significantly (p < 0.01) higher than the pre-supplemented mean EMGFT.
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