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Creatine Supplementation Effect on Recovery Following Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
  • Liu Gang
Liu Gang
Hunan University of Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) causes to increased soreness, impaired function of muscles, and reductions in muscle force. Accumulating evidence suggests beneficial effects of creatine on EIMD. Nevertheless, outcomes differ substantially across various articles. The main aim of this meta analysis was to evaluate the effect of creatine on recovery following EIMD. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Google scholar were systematically searched up to July 2020. The Cochrane Collaboration tool for examining risk of bias was applied for assessing the quality of studies. Weighted mean difference (WMD), 95 percent confidence interval (CI) and random effects model, were applied for estimating the overall effect. Between studies heterogeneity was examined using the chi-squared and I2 statistic. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooled data showed that creatine significantly reduced CK concentration overall (WMD = -30.94; 95% CI: -53.19, -8.69; P = 0.006) and at three follow-up times 48, 72 and 96 hours) in comparison with placebo. In contrast, effects were not significant in LDH concentration overall (WMD = -5.99; 95% CI: -14.49, 2.50; P= 0.167), but creatine supplementation leaded to a significant reduction in LDH concentrations in trials with 48 hours measurement of LDH. The current data indicates that creatine consumption is better than rest after diverse forms of damaging and exhaustive exercise or passive recovery. The benefits relate to a decrease in muscle damage indices and Improved muscle function because of muscle power loss after exercise.