Creatine Position Statements
I have initiated this project in an effort to develop a consice list of current beliefs adn positions regarding the use of creatine, specifically by high school students. I did some research looking for studies on the effects of creatine supplementation. Very little good work is available. I did find this 2001 Study that did a fairly good job. I realize its a little old, but the information is good. Here is another research article (slightly newer) courtesy of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. Also see this earlier discussion at UniCommons.com
NFHS - The NFHS addresses nutritional supplements in this statement. (you will need to scroll down to the PDF link titled Supplements Position Statement) Creatine is included in this category. The first paragraph is quoted below.
The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) strongly opposes the use of dietary supplements for the purpose of athletic advantage. Research data shows widespread use of dietary supplements by adolescent and high school athletes, despite considerable safety concerns. Dietary supplements are marketed as an easy way to enhance athletic performance, increase energy levels, lose weight, and feel better. It is proven that adolescents are more susceptible to advertising messages and peer pressure, increasing the risk of dietary supplement usage. This can create a culture more concerned about short term performance rather than overall long term health.
NCAA - The NCAA website had this Bulletin available. It references by-law 16.5.2.g, which has to do with nutritional supplements. The bulletin contains a complete list of permissible and impermissible substances. Creatine is on the impermissible list. In summation, the NCAA position is that the institution, including coaches, are not alowed to recommend or provide creatine, but its use by the athlete is not banned. The complete text of by-law 16.5.2.g is quoted below. An institution may provide permissible nutritional supplements to a student athlete for the purpose of providing additional calories and electrolytes. Permissible nutritional supplements do not contain any NCAA banned substances and are identified according to the following classes: Carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks, energy bars, carbohydrate boosters and vitamins and minerals. (Adopted: 4/27/00, effective 8/1/00, Revised: 11/1/01 effective 8/1/02, 4/14/09)
AFCA - No position found
IHSA - (Illinois High School Association) General statement concerning all supplements:
In responding to local concerns about their increased use, the Illinois High School Association's Sports Medicine Advisory Committee strongly endorses the National Federation of State High School Association's position on the use of supplements by high school student-athletes.
The committee firmly recommends that school administrators and coaches work with their student-athletes and encourage them to consult with their individual physician prior to taking any supplemental product. The vagaries and unknowns of supplements make them potentially dangerous and harmful substances for student-athletes to ingest, and therefore, are not endorsed by the committee.
There is also a very nice power point presentation on supplements available on the site as well. Slides 19-24 deal specifically with creatine.
ACSM - Creatine is addressed by the American College of Sports Medicine in their 2009 position statement on nutrition. This source is probably the best professional "opinion" you can get. It can be found here. Here is the section on Creatine:
Creatine is currently the most widely used ergogenic aid among athletes wanting to build muscle and enhance recovery (118,123-125). Creatine has been shown to be effective in repeated short bursts of high-intensity activity in sports that derive energy primarily from the ATP-CP energy system such as sprinting and weight lifting but not for endurance sports such as distance running (32,117,126-128). Most of the researches on creatine have been conducted in a laboratory setting with male athletes.
The most common adverse effects of creatine supplementation are weight (fluid) gain, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea (32,117,129). Although widely debated, creatine is generally considered safe for healthy adults, despite anecdotal reports of dehydration, muscle strains/tears, and kidney damage (130-132). Although the effects of long-term use of creatine remain unknown, studies to date do not show any adverse effects in healthy adults from creatine supplementation (133). Nevertheless, health care professionals should carefully screen athletes using creatine for any risk of liver or kidney dysfunction or, in rare instances, anterior compartment syndrome.
AAP - general position -includes chart of effect/side effect/legal issues, and the general statement (no direct statement on creatine was found.)
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly condemns the use of performance-enhancing substances and vigorously endorses efforts to eliminate their use among children and adolescents.
ISSN - This is directly form the ISSN position statement on creatine.
Position Statement: The following nine points related to the use of creatine as a nutritional supplement constitute the Position Statement of the Society. They have been approved by the Research Committee of the Society.
1. Creatine monohydrate is the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available to athletes in terms of increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training.
(In the interest of space, I have included only the 1st of the nine points. Please view all nine via the link above)
GSSI (Gatorade Sports Science Institute) - No specific position was taken, but several research articles are linked for more detailed information. They did provide a brief statement on creatine:
The verdict is still out on creatine’s effect on performance...The research on the long-term safety of creatine supplementation is in its infancy stage with insightful information still to come.
(edited for space, use the link above for complete statement)
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