Introduction To effectively explore the effects of creatine monohydrate supplements on exercise performance, a subset of literature has been selected based on its relevance to the following questions: 1. What is creatine? 2. What are the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on predominantly anaerobic exercise? 3. What are the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on predominantly aerobic exercise? 4. What are the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on skeletal muscle hypertrophy? 5. What are the adverse effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation? The views presented in the popular media cannot be discounted since these perspectives often influence the publics perception of a subject the most. Nevertheless, …show more content…
According to Branch (2003), endurance activities lasting more than 150s rely on oxidative phosphorylation as primary energy system supplier. Therefore, it would appear that the ergogenic potential for creatine supplementation on predominantly aerobic endurance exercise diminishes as the duration of the activity increases over 150s. However it is suggested that creatine supplementation may cause a change in substrate utilization during aerobic activity possibly leading to an increase in steady state endurance performance. Chwalbinska-Monteta (2003) observed a significant decrease in blood lactate accumulation when exercising at lower intensities as well as an increase in lactate threshold in elite male endurance rowers after consuming a short loading (5 days 20 g/d) CM protocol. The results of the studies concerning the influence of creatine supplementation on aerobic capacity are also inconsistent. Endurance performance appears to be rather unaffected by creatine treatment. According to some authors, Vandebeuri et al., (1998) oral Creatine intake does not affect an ability to perform a long-lasting submaximal exercise or oxygen uptake, ventilatory gas exchange indices, and blood lactate concentration during a progressive exercise and the recovery post-exercise period. On the other hand, McNaughton et al., (1998) demonstrated significant enhancement of power output during 1.5 to 5 minutes of exhaustive exercise on a kayak ergometer due to creatine loading. A few studies assessing the effect of creatine treatment on the rowers performance has shown no change in aerobic or anaerobic capacity in rowers (Rossiter et al.,1996) and an improved time of rowing but on the non-typical distance of 1000 meters (Syrotuik et al.,2001 ). The null effect of creatine supplementation on