The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Creatine supplementation improves anaerobic performance and recovery; however, to date, these outcomes have not been well explored in females. This study evaluated the effect of creatine monohydrate loading on exercise recovery, measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and repeated sprint performanc...

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Main Authors: Amanda N. Gordon, Sam R. Moore, Noah D. Patterson, Maggie E. Hostetter, Hannah E. Cabre, Katie R. Hirsch, Anthony C. Hackney, Abbie E. Smith-Ryan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Nutrients
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/16/3567
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author Amanda N. Gordon
Sam R. Moore
Noah D. Patterson
Maggie E. Hostetter
Hannah E. Cabre
Katie R. Hirsch
Anthony C. Hackney
Abbie E. Smith-Ryan
author_facet Amanda N. Gordon
Sam R. Moore
Noah D. Patterson
Maggie E. Hostetter
Hannah E. Cabre
Katie R. Hirsch
Anthony C. Hackney
Abbie E. Smith-Ryan
author_sort Amanda N. Gordon
collection DOAJ
description Creatine supplementation improves anaerobic performance and recovery; however, to date, these outcomes have not been well explored in females. This study evaluated the effect of creatine monohydrate loading on exercise recovery, measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and repeated sprint performance, in women across the menstrual cycle. In this randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, 39 women (mean ± standard deviation: age: 24.6 ± 5.9 years, height: 172.5 ± 42.3 cm, weight: 65.1 ± 8.1 kg, BF: 27.4 ± 5.8%) were randomized to a creatine monohydrate (<i>n</i> = 19; 20 g per day in 4 × 5 g doses) or non-caloric PL group (<i>n</i> = 20). HRV was measured at rest and after participants completed a repeated sprint cycling test (10 × 6 s maximal sprints). Measurements were conducted before and after supplementation in the follicular/low hormone and luteal/high hormone phases. Creatine monohydrate supplementation did not influence HRV values, as no significant differences were seen in HRV values at rest or postexercise. For repeated sprint outcomes, there was a significant phase × supplement interaction (<i>p</i> = 0.048) for fatigue index, with the greatest improvement seen in high hormone in the creatine monohydrate group (−5.8 ± 19.0%) compared to changes in the PL group (0.1 ± 8.1%). Sprint performance and recovery were reduced by the high hormone for both groups. Though not statistically significant, the data suggests that creatine monohydrate could help counteract performance decrements caused by the high hormone. This data can help inform creatine monohydrate loading strategies for females, demonstrating potential benefits in the high hormone phase.
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spelling doaj.art-9eff559ad6d146f3af32f857f4e593962023-11-19T02:29:51ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432023-08-011516356710.3390/nu15163567The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual CycleAmanda N. Gordon0Sam R. Moore1Noah D. Patterson2Maggie E. Hostetter3Hannah E. Cabre4Katie R. Hirsch5Anthony C. Hackney6Abbie E. Smith-Ryan7Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USAApplied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USAApplied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USAApplied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USAApplied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USADepartment of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USAApplied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USAApplied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USACreatine supplementation improves anaerobic performance and recovery; however, to date, these outcomes have not been well explored in females. This study evaluated the effect of creatine monohydrate loading on exercise recovery, measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and repeated sprint performance, in women across the menstrual cycle. In this randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, 39 women (mean ± standard deviation: age: 24.6 ± 5.9 years, height: 172.5 ± 42.3 cm, weight: 65.1 ± 8.1 kg, BF: 27.4 ± 5.8%) were randomized to a creatine monohydrate (<i>n</i> = 19; 20 g per day in 4 × 5 g doses) or non-caloric PL group (<i>n</i> = 20). HRV was measured at rest and after participants completed a repeated sprint cycling test (10 × 6 s maximal sprints). Measurements were conducted before and after supplementation in the follicular/low hormone and luteal/high hormone phases. Creatine monohydrate supplementation did not influence HRV values, as no significant differences were seen in HRV values at rest or postexercise. For repeated sprint outcomes, there was a significant phase × supplement interaction (<i>p</i> = 0.048) for fatigue index, with the greatest improvement seen in high hormone in the creatine monohydrate group (−5.8 ± 19.0%) compared to changes in the PL group (0.1 ± 8.1%). Sprint performance and recovery were reduced by the high hormone for both groups. Though not statistically significant, the data suggests that creatine monohydrate could help counteract performance decrements caused by the high hormone. This data can help inform creatine monohydrate loading strategies for females, demonstrating potential benefits in the high hormone phase.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/16/3567dietary supplementfemale physiologymenstrual cycle
spellingShingle Amanda N. Gordon
Sam R. Moore
Noah D. Patterson
Maggie E. Hostetter
Hannah E. Cabre
Katie R. Hirsch
Anthony C. Hackney
Abbie E. Smith-Ryan
The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual Cycle
Nutrients
dietary supplement
female physiology
menstrual cycle
title The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual Cycle
title_full The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual Cycle
title_fullStr The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual Cycle
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual Cycle
title_short The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Exercise Recovery in Active Women throughout the Menstrual Cycle
title_sort effects of creatine monohydrate loading on exercise recovery in active women throughout the menstrual cycle
topic dietary supplement
female physiology
menstrual cycle
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/16/3567
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