From Regatta (c) 1999 - the national rowing magazine:
Creatine is a chemical which occurs in muscle and which is converted into
the high-energy store creatine phosphate during the first second or two of
work. It has been shown that increased stores of creatine phosphate can lead
to less muscle fatigue and better performance. Taking supplements will
augment these stores but the difference will only be noticeable in
repetitive sprint events which last a few seconds, with a very short time
between repetitions. Sports where this can make a difference include power
athletics, such as sprints, but it doesn't include rowing or, for instance,
football. There are also side effects of taking it, such as muscle cramps
and fluid retention. There are no regulations governing its use, and it's
true that members of the squad have used creatine; one reason may be that
oarsmen may find they can lift heavier weights during a circuit and make the
incorrect assumption that they will be able to row faster as a result.
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dunn Matthew Dr. ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY - SwarkHosp-TR"
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To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2001 08:42
Subject: Re: fitness supplements
> Creatine works to build up perfromance in activities involving repeated
> sprints (e.g. rugby as played by backs or back row forwards). Dose up on a
> daily basis for the week prior to the competition. It may knock 5% off
your
> sprint times. Good evidence that it works (but remember in these
activities,
> skill and reaction times matter much more than sprint times). There is no
> evidence that whey (or other protein) drinks work (normal diet is adequate
> in protein; athletes in training consume more food and thus more protein).
> The one situation where they may be useful is in those bodybuilders who
> sometimes show remarkably (suspiciously) fast muscle growth, at a rate
above
> normal dietary protein intake.
>
> In general, though, creatine is the only dietary supplement of proven
> efficacy.
>
> Matt Dunn
>
> Warwick
>
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