EFFECTS OF CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE INCIDENCE OF CRAMPING/INJURY DURING EIGHTEEN WEEKS OF DIVISION I FOOTBALL TRAINING/COMPETITION

Anecdotal reports suggest that creatine supplementation during intense training may increase the incidence of muscle cramping and/or injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of creatine supplementation on cramping/injury rates during 18 weeks of collegiate football training/competition. Seventy-two Division IA football players participated in this safety study. Before and/or during the first week of training, 38 (53%) of the seventy-two athletes reported ingesting 20 to 30 g/d of creatine for 5/7-d followed by 5 to 10 g/d of creatine during training and competition. All athletes (creatine users/non-users) also had access to a carbohydrate supplement containing no creatine during the training/competitive seasons. Subjects practiced or played in environmental conditions ranging from 59 to 99 F, 46 to 90% RH (81.07 + 10.93 F, 54.17 + 9.71% RH). Injuries treated by the athletic training staff were recorded and categorized as cramping, heat/dehydration, muscle tightness, muscle strains/pulls, non-contact joint injuries, contact injuries, and illness. The number of practices missed due to injury/illness was also recorded. Data are presented as the total number of treated injuries for creatine users/total injuries and percentage occurrence rate for in-season practice/competitive phases. Results revealed that the incidence of cramping (19/47, 40%), heat/dehydration (4/13, 31%), muscle tightness (9/29, 31%), muscle pulls/strains (28/62, 45%), non-contact joint injuries (22/60, 37%), contact injuries (89/176, 51%), illness (29/69, 42%), number of missed practices due to injury (52/138, 38%), players lost for the season (1/1, 100%), and total injuries/missed practices (253/595, 43%) were generally lower or proportional to the creatine use rate among players. These findings indicate that creatine supplementation during a Division I college football season does not increase the incidence of injury or cramping.