The effects of short time monohydrate creatine supplementation on systemic stress homeostasis following repeated maximum swimming in young women

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term creatine supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes after six bouts of 50-meter sprint swimming.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study recruited eight trained female swimmers with the mean age of 25±4.4 years and body mass index (BMI) of 21.8±4.2 kg/m2 to perform six bouts of 50-meter sprint swimming with a 120-second active recovery in water. Then, subjects consumed Cr supplement (capsules containing 5 g monohydrate creatine), four times a day for six days. Blood samples were taken in resting position after the sixth bout of swimming before and following Cr supplementation period. Protein carbonyl (PC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration were measured using ELISA method.

Result: Sprint swimming significantly increased PC concentration compared to resting state, but an insignificant increase was detected after Cr supplementation. In addition, sprint swimming led to a significant reduction in SOD levels after creatine supplementation compared to pre-test. Swimmers’ records after creatine supplementation in sixth bout of sprint swimming was also lower compared to the first bout.

Conclusion: Cr supplementation can inhibit increased oxidative stress markers induced by high-intensity and short-duration exercise in trained female swimmers.