Article
Details
Citation
van der Merwe J, Brooks N & Myburgh KH (2009) Three Weeks of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation Affects Dihydrotestosterone to Testosterone Ratio in College-Aged Rugby Players. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 19 (5), pp. 399-404. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0b013e3181b8b52f
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated resting concentrations of selected androgens after 3 weeks of creatine supplementation in male rugby players. It was hypothesized that the ratio of dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a biologically more active androgen) to testosterone (T) would change with creatine supplementation.
Design: Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study with a 6-week washout period.
Setting: Rugby Institute in South Africa.
Participants: College-aged rugby players (n = 20) volunteered for the study, which took place during the competitive season.
Interventions: Subjects loaded with creatine (25 g/day creatine with 25 g/day glucose) or placebo (50 g/day glucose) for 7 days followed by 14 days of maintenance (5 g/day creatine with 25 g/day glucose or 30 g/day glucose placebo).
Main Outcome Measures: Serum T and DHT were measured and ratio calculated at baseline and after 7 days and 21 days of creatine supplementation (or placebo). Body composition measurements were taken at each time point.
Results: After 7 days of creatine loading, or a further 14 days of creatine maintenance dose, serum T levels did not change. However, levels of DHT increased by 56% after 7 days of creatine loading and remained 40% above baseline after 14 days maintenance (P < 0.001). The ratio of DHT:T also increased by 36% after 7 days creatine supplementation and remained elevated by 22% after the maintenance dose (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Creatine supplementation may, in part, act through an increased rate of conversion of T to DHT. Further investigation is warranted as a result of the high frequency of individuals using creatine supplementation and the long-term safety of alterations in circulating androgen composition.
Statement of Clinical Relevance: Although creatine is a widely used ergogenic aid, the mechanisms of action are incompletely understood, particularly in relation to dihydrotestosterone, and therefore the long-term clinical safety cannot be guaranteed.
Keywords
creatine supplementation; rugby player; athlete; clinical safety; DHT:T ratio
Journal
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine: Volume 19, Issue 5
Status | Published |
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Publication date | 30/09/2009 |
URL | http://hdl.handle.net/1893/22610 |
Publisher | Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins |
ISSN | 1050-642X |
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Honorary Senior Lecturer, Sport