Vol 15, Issue 2

Effects of Creatine Supplementation and Progressive Resistance Training in Stroke Survivors

February 15, 2022 - By 

Authors

Sara Butchart, University of Regina
Darren G. Candow, University of Regina
Scott Forbes, Brandon University
Cameron Mang, University of Regina
Julianne Gordon, University of Saskatchewan
Jongbum Ko, University of Saskatchewan
Dalton Deprez, University of Saskatchewan
Phil Chilibeck, University of Saskatchewan
David Ditor, Brock University
International Journal of Exercise Science 15(2): 1117-1132, 2022.
DOI: 10.70252/EKHJ1489

Abstract

The purpose was to investigate the effects of progressive resistance training (PRT) and creatine supplementation in stroke survivors. Participants were randomized to one of two groups: creatine (n = 5; 51 ± 16y) or placebo (n = 3; 73 ± 8y) during 10 weeks of supervised PRT. Prior to and following PRT and supplementation, assessments were made for body composition (lean tissue and fat mass), muscle thickness, muscle strength (1-repetition maximum), functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test, Berg Balance Scale; BBS), cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA), and symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7; GAD-7) and depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; CES-D). There were time main effects for leg press strength (increased; p = 0.001), chest press strength (increased; p = 0.003), elbow flexor muscle thickness (increased; p = 0.007), BBS (increased; p = 0.002), MoCA (increased; p = 0.031) and CES-D (decreased; p = 0.045). There was a group x time interaction for the 6 minute walk test (p = 0.039). The creatine group significantly increased walking distance over time (p = 0.002) with no change in the placebo group (p = 0.120). Ten weeks of PRT had some positive effects on measures of muscle strength and size, balance, cognition and depression. The addition of creatine to PRT significantly improved walking performance in stroke survivors.

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