Key result
Creatine improves maximal voluntary contraction ~15% and doubles fatigue resistance in boys with muscular dystrophy.
Why the study?
The effect of creatine supplementation on muscle function and body composition in boys with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy was evaluated to determine potential symptomatic benefits.
Does creatine supplementation improve muscle function and body composition in boys with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy?
RCT (n=15)
Double-blind
Cross-over
Does creatine supplementation improve muscle function and body composition in boys with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy?
Creatine supplementation for 3 months significantly improved muscle strength and fatigue resistance in boys with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy without adverse effects.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports short-term creatine use to enhance strength and fatigue resistance in boys with Duchenne/Becker dystrophy; confirms RCT benefit and extends evidence for nutritional adjuncts.
The effect of creatine (Cr) supplementation on muscle function and body composition of 12 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and three with Becker dystrophy was evaluated by a randomized double-blind cross-over study (3 g Cr or maltodextrin daily for 3 months, with wash-out period of 2 months). After placebo, no change was observed in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and resistance to fatigue, whereas total joint stiffness (TJS) was increased by approximately 25% (P < 0.05). The patients receiving Cr did not show any change in TJS, improved MVC by 15% (P = 0.02), and almost doubled their resistance to fatigue (P < 0.001). In patients still independent of a wheelchair (n = 5), bone mineral density increased by 3% (P < 0.05), and urinary excretion of collagen type I cross-linking N-telopeptide declined to about one third (P < 0.001) after Cr. No adverse effect was observed. Thus, Cr may provide some symptomatic benefit in these patients.
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Louis et al. (2003) conducted an RCT in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (n=15). Creatine vs. Maltodextrin (placebo) was evaluated on Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (p=0.02). Creatine supplementation improved maximal voluntary contraction by 15% (P=0.02) and doubled resistance to fatigue (P<0.001) compared to placebo in boys with muscular dystrophy.
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