Volume 29, Issue 155, January 2025

Creatine Supplementation: Effects on athletic performance, cognitive processing, and longterm health consequences. A review of the literature

Weronika Kotnis^1♦, Jan Siemianowski², Sandra Prolejko¹, Michalina Doligalska³, Aleksandra Stremel⁴, Błażej Gajęcki⁵, Greta Steć⁵, Justyna Kopala⁶, Agata Brzyska⁵, Magdalena Pawlak⁵

¹Medical University of Lodz, Kościuszki 4, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
²Central Clinical Hospital of Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
³Medical Hospital in Garwolin, Lubelska 50, 08-400 Garwolin, Poland
⁴Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Orłowski Hospital, Czerniakowska 231, 00-416, Warsaw, Poland
⁵Central Clinical Hospital of Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
⁶University Clinical Hospital No.2 of the Medical University of Lodz, Żeromskiego 113, 90-549 Łódź, Poland

^♦Corresponding Author
Medical University of Lodz, Kościuszki 4, 90-419 Lodz, Poland

ABSTRACT

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that plays an essential role in cellular energy production. It has important applications in sports nutrition and medical research. Mainly accumulated in skeletal muscle, it facilitates ATP replenishment during strenuous exercise. Supplementation enhances phosphocreatine levels, improving anaerobic performance, muscle strength, and lean body mass, particularly in resistance-trained athletes and high-intensity sports. Beyond its physical benefits, creatine carries the potential for cognitive and therapeutic applications. Evidence underlines improvements in memory, processing speed, and executive function improvements, mostly in older adults and populations with metabolic deficits. Preliminary findings suggest neuroprotective benefits against conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, though further evidence is needed. Creatine is widely regarded as safe when taken as recommended, and there have been no significant adverse effects on the kidney, liver, or general health in short- or long-term studies. Yet, ethical concerns over its application in adolescent athletes and competitive sports will have to be continually considered. This review highlights the many faces of creatine supplementation, from benefits in physical performance and cognitive support to therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on long-term effects, age- and gender-specific responses, and clinical applications. The neuroprotective properties and optimal dosing protocols deserve further investigation, and their implementation may further cement creatine as a mainstay in effectiveness towards improving physical, cognitive and clinical outcomes in diverse populations.

Keywords: Creatine, sports performance, cognitive function, supplementation, neuroprotection, athletic performance enhancement, muscle strength, ATP metabolism

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e12ms3516

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i155.e12ms3516

Published: 18 January 2025