Dear Robert
You may be interested in a lecture I am organising
in Leeds long way to come though.
Paul Greenhaff is lecturing on a critical
evaluation of ergogenic aids. He probably knows more about creatine than anyone
at the moment and has widely researched its effects.
It is true creatine supplementation allows more
rapid regeneration of CP the high energy store thus allowing potentially more
ATP before fatigue in anaerobic metabolism. Thus it may be beneficial in
sprint trained athletes.
Because of the hype surrounding ergogenic aids
many of our athltes who are not sprint training will use it, even
cricketers.
They do so during the off season to boost thier
weight training program.
The answer to the question does it improve
performance is difficult.
It may be useful in certain sports.
Athletes should be made aware of its side effects and complications that is up
to us they can then hopefully make an informed choice.
It is naturally occuring in muscle, vegetarian
athletes having the lowest stores, high fish and red meat consumers the
largest.
Perhaps this is why we dont tend to see many
vegetarian powerlifters.
Lecture has already been posted on mailbase
.
Regards
James Brown
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2000 9:59
PM
Subject: Re: Drugs in sport
But does creatine enhance performance? I have attached a Q and A
devised by myself and Richard Budgett at the British Olympic Association
and published in a recent edition of Regatta magazine.
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Dr James
Brown <[log in to unmask]>
>
>Peer
pressure does exist and young athletes will try what thier peers
are
>taking Creatine is a good example.
Question: Now that I compete at a serious level I've been considering
food supplements, and taking a close look at creatine. Isn't that beneficial
in rowing, because I've heard some members of the national squad use it?
Answer (Richard Budgett): 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.
(c) Regatta Magazine 1999