Ergogenic Effects on Speed and Performance

Abstract

Abstract
Ergogenic aids are defined as “In the context of sport, an ergogenic aid can be broadly defined as a technique or substance used for the purpose of enhancing performance.” (Thein, Thein, Landry 1995). This covers a wide variety of things. Anything from carbohydrate loading to the use of illegal substances such as anabolic steroids. I wanted to know how much proof was out there to support the claims that these things do indeed increase athletic performance, specifically in the case of explosive speed and performance. We will explore different studies that have covered such topics. We will look at the substances used and the tests taken to measure the results. There are studies both that show advantages. The study is mainly focused on the effects of creatine in strength training and performance.

Full text

ERGOGENIC EFFECTS ON SPEED AND PERFORMANCE Page 1
Ergogenic Effects on Speed and Performance
Kevin Van denBosch
California University of Pennsylvania

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Abstract
Ergogenic aids are defined as “In the context of sport, anergogenic aidcan be broadlydefinedas
a technique or substance used for the purpose of enhancing performance.” (Thein, Thein, Landry
1995). This covers a wide variety of things. Anything from carbohydrate loading to the use of
illegal substances such as anabolic steroids. I wanted to know how much proof was out there to
support the claims that these things do indeed increase athletic performance, specifically in the
case of explosive speed and performance. We will explore different studies that have covered
such topics. We will look at the substances used and the tests taken to measure the results.
There are studies both that show advantages. The study is mainly focused on the effects of
creatine in strength training and performance.

ERGOGENIC EFFECTS ON SPEED AND PERFORMANCE Page 3
Ergogenic Effects on Speed and Performance
I have long been interested in the effects of ergogenics and their effects in sports performance.
Specifically, in this study, we look at the effects of ergogenics in speed and explosive power and
also its effects on sports performance on the field. There have been many studies on this topic
but the article by Richard Kreider, a professor and department head for the Health and
Kinesiology program at Texas A&M University entitled Effects of Creatine Supplementation on
Performance and Training Adaptations is the one that stuck out to me the most. The reason it
caught my attention is because it covers quite a few other studies in a variety of sports and
testing methods. Some of the methods used for testing are bench press, short sprints, even
electro-stimulation. He even looks at the testing that had done for some endurance athletes with
the same variable to see if it translates to these events and if so, how.
Negative Results
Some studies have shown no improvement in performance. Some have shown some of the same
biological changes but yet no increase in performance. A fair amount of studies had concluded
with the findings that creatine supplementation does in fact enhance exercise performance
overall. For example, McKenna et al. reported that creatine supplementation (30 g/day 5 days)
did not affect 5 10-sec sprints with rest intervals of 180, 50, and 20-sec in 14 untrained subjects.
In another study, Gilliam et al. found that creatine supplementation (20 g/day 5 days) did not
affect isokinetic knee extension performance during 5 30 MVC in 23 untrained subjects. This is
significant because the common thought is that Creatine enhances mostly in short powerful
bursts. With McKenna’s study giving a range of rest times, he has given a chance for ATP-CP
levels to get as close to maximum as possible. Gilliam’s study is a good sample it seems, seeing
how he used 23 untrained subjects. Deutekom et al. [49] reported that creatine (20 g/day 6 days)

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increased body mass but did not affect muscle activation, fatigue, and/or recovery from electrical
stimulation of the quadriceps or maximal exercise performance during sprint cycling in 23 well-
trained rowers. Similarly, Edwards et al. [50] reported that creatine (20 g/day 6 days) did not
affect running fatigue to exhaustion following performing 4 15-sec sprints in 21 moderately
active subjects. At 20 g/day, it seems that the amount of creatine used is sufficient but the 5-6
day window without a loading period of any kind seems like a less than effective testing method.
Positive Results. There are just as many test if not much more, that show results proving that
creatine does directly affect performance. Noonan et al. [57] reported that creatine
supplementation (20 g/day 5 days; 100 or 300 mg/kg/day of FFM 51 days) in conjunction with
resistance and speed/ agility training significantly improved 40-yard dash time and bench press
strength in 39 college athletes.” (Kreider 2003). I like this study because as I touched on
previously, the extensive length of time is necessary to get a full idea of the effects. Knowing
that the body has had time to adapt to the new substance change is a big deal in deciding the
reliability of the study. Urbanski et al. [22] reported that creatine supplementation (20 g/day 5
days) increased maximal isometric knee extension strength and time to fatigue. Which is an
almost identical study to Gilliam’s study that I mentioned earlier, with complete opposite
findings.
“Volek et al. [21] reported that creatine supplementation (25 g/day for 7 days) resulted in a
significant increase in the amount of work performed during five sets of bench press and jump
squats in comparison to a placebo group.” (Kreider2003). This study does measure a greater
volume in body of work but it does not tell us what the rate of decline is after the initial burst of
power. Though even if the burst was small and short, it still obviously made a difference worth
noting and proves a change due to the dose of creatine. Tarnopolsky et al. [23] reported creatine

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supplementation (20 g/day 4 days) increased peak cycling power, dorsi-flexion maximal
voluntary contractions (MVC) torque, and lactate in men and women with no apparent gender
effects.” (Kreider 2003). This brings up the question for me of energy needed for overall
strength production. In cycling, you are seated and using mostly leg, hip and core strength. This
is a bit different than a sprint where you have a full body in motion.
As far as testing specific to speed, in 18 power lifters. “Noonan et al. [57] reported that creatine
supplementation (20 g/day 5 days; 100 or 300 mg/kg/day of FFM 51 days) in conjunction with
resistance and speed/ agility training significantly improved 40-yard dash time and bench press
strength in 39 college athletes.” (Kreider 2003). Even with the substantial size of the study with
39 athletes, we don’t know how much creatine played a role because we don’t know how much
effect the training had. Without a non-creatine group, we don’t know it’s effects.
Conclusion
In the conclusion of his study, Kreider said “this proves that creatine increases BMI and strength
therefor proves that it increases muscle mass.” I am a little shy to agree to this. This and other
studies have had the same claims but I have yet to find any body fat testing to back up the
assumption that the increase in BMI is from increased muscle mass alone. With the lack of
testing of on the field performance, it is hard to tell if claims of enhancement would translate to
performance in such as basketball or football. I would agree that creatine gives a very good
chance for improved performance but there is still not a guarantee, nor do we have solid
evidence of who would be more affected and what the other key factors are. A bigger question
at this point for me is whether creatine is more or less effective in trained individual or if there is
no difference. Does the bodies’ condition directly affect the effectiveness in the consumption,
absorption, and synthesis of creatine?

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References:
1. Kreider, R. B. (2003). Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training
adaptations. Guanidino Compounds in Biology and Medicine, 89-94. doi:10.1007/978-1-
4615-0247-0_13
2. Gilliam, J. D., Hohzorn, C., Martin, D., & Trimble, M. H. (2000). Effect of oral creatine
supplementation on isokinetic torque production. Medicine & Science in Sports &
Exercise, 993-996. doi:10.1097/00005768-200005000-00017
3. Volek JS, Duncan ND, Mazzetti SA, Staron RS, Putukian M, Gomez AL, Pearson DR,
Fink WJ, Kraemer WJ: Performance and muscle fiber adaptations to creatine
supplementation and heavy resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31: 1147–1156,
1999
4. Kreider RB: Creatine supplementation in exercise and sport. In: J. Driskell, I. Wolinsky
(eds). Energy-Yielding Macronutrients and Energy Metabolism in Sports Nutrition. CRC
Press LLC, Boca Raton, FL, 1999, pp 213–242
5. Kreider R: Creatine supplementation: Analysis of ergogenic value, medical safety, and
concerns. J Exerc Physiol Online 1: 7–18, 1998. Available:
http://www.css.edu/users/tboone2/asep/jan3.htm
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Influence of creatine type and diet on strength and body composition of collegiate
lightweight football players. Med Science Sports Exerc 30: S264, 1998
7. Tarnopolsky MA, MacLennan DP: Creatine monohydrate supplemen-tation enhances
high-intensity exercise performance in males and fe-males. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab
10: 452–463, 2000

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8. Volek JS, Kraemer WJ, Bush JA, Boetes M, Incledon T, Clark KL, Lynch JM: Creatine
supplementation enhances muscular performance during high-intensity resistance
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9. Juhn MS, Tarnopolsky M: Oral creatine supplementation and athletic performance: A
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