Effects of Short-Term Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Anaerobic Power, Repeated-Sprint Capacity, and Maximal Strength in Elite Iraqi Basketball Players: A Randomised Double-Blind Parallel-Group Trial

Muthanna Harith Ekrayyem

doi:10.65115/swa8m463

Articles

Effects of Short-Term Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Anaerobic Power, Repeated-Sprint Capacity, and Maximal Strength in Elite Iraqi Basketball Players: A Randomised Double-Blind Parallel-Group Trial

Muthanna Harith Ekrayyem¹

University of Samarra ROR

Published2026-06-12

SectionArticles

LanguageEnglish

Downloads45

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.65115/swa8m463

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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation versus placebo on anaerobic power, repeated-sprint capacity, and maximal lower limb strength in elite Iraqi basketball players. Using a randomised double-blind parallel-group design, thirty-two male players from the Iraqi Basketball Premier League (age: 22.6 +/- 2.4 years; body mass: 88.4 +/- 9.6 kg) were assigned to a creatine group (CRE, n = 16; 20 g/day for 7 days then 5 g/day for 21 days) or a placebo group (PLA, n = 16; identical maltodextrin capsules). Outcomes included peak and mean anaerobic power (Wingate 30-s test), repeated-sprint mean time and decrement (6 x 20 m), countermovement jump height (CMJ), and 1RM leg press. Post-intervention, CRE demonstrated significantly greater improvements in peak anaerobic power (+142 W; p < 0.001; d = 2.14), mean anaerobic power (+98 W; p < 0.001; d = 1.88), repeated-sprint mean time (-0.14 s; p < 0.001; d = 1.76), sprint decrement (-2.4%; d = 2.34), CMJ height (+3.8 cm; p < 0.001; d = 1.92), and 1RM leg press (+18.6 kg; p < 0.001; d = 2.31) versus PLA. Body mass increased +1.4 kg in CRE (p < 0.001), consistent with creatine-induced water retention. These findings support creatine monohydrate as an effective ergogenic nutritional strategy for enhancing anaerobic performance and maximal strength in elite Iraqi basketball players.

Keywords Creatine Supplementation Basketball Players Anaerobic Power Repeated-Sprint Muscle Strength

References

Antonio, J., & Ciccone, V. (2013). The effects of pre versus post workout supplementation of creatine monohydrate on body composition and strength. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-10-36
Balsom, P. D., Soderlund, K., & Ekblom, B. (1994). Creatine in humans with special reference to creatine supplementation. Sports Medicine, 18(4), 268-280. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199418040-00005
Ben Abdelkrim, N., Castagna, C., Jabri, I., Battikh, T., El Fazaa, S., & El Ati, J. (2010). Activity profile and physiological requirements of junior elite basketball players in relation to aerobic-anaerobic fitness. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(9), 2330-2342. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e381c1
Branch, J. D. (2003). Effect of creatine supplementation on body composition and performance: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 13(2), 198-226. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.13.2.198
Crisafulli, D. L., Buddhadev, H. H., Brilla, L. R., Chalmers, G. R., Suprak, D. N., & San Juan, J. G. (2018). Creatine-electrolyte supplementation improves repeated sprint cycling performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0226-y
Greenhaff, P. L., Bodin, K., Soderlund, K., & Hultman, E. (1994). Effect of oral creatine supplementation on skeletal muscle phosphocreatine resynthesis. American Journal of Physiology, 266(5), E725-E730. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.1994.266.5.E725
Hultman, E., Soderlund, K., Timmons, J. A., Cederblad, G., & Greenhaff, P. L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 81(1), 232-237. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1996.81.1.232
Kreider, R. B., Kalman, D. S., Antonio, J., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Wildman, R., Collins, R., Candow, D. G., Kleiner, S. M., Almada, A. L., & Lopez, H. L. (2017). ISSN position stand: Safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z
Lanhers, C., Pereira, B., Naughton, G., Trousselard, M., Lesage, F. X., & Dutheil, F. (2017). Creatine supplementation and upper limb strength performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(1), 163-173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0571-4
McInnes, S. E., Carlson, J. S., Jones, C. J., & McKenna, M. J. (1995). The physiological load imposed on basketball players during competition. Journal of Sports Sciences, 13(5), 387-397. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640419508732254
Mujika, I., & Padilla, S. (1997). Creatine supplementation as an ergogenic aid for sports performance in highly trained athletes: A critical review. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 18(7), 491-496. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-972670
Ostojic, S. M. (2004). Creatine supplementation in young soccer players. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 14(1), 95-103. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.14.1.95
Rawson, E. S., & Volek, J. S. (2003). Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 17(4), 822-831. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2003)017<0822>2.0.CO;2
Rodriguez, N. R., DiMarco, N. M., & Langley, S. (2009). Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and ACSM: Nutrition and athletic performance. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(3), 509-527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.01.005
Sahlin, K., & Ren, J. M. (1989). Relationship of contraction capacity to metabolic changes during recovery from a fatiguing contraction. Journal of Applied Physiology, 67(2), 648-654. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1989.67.2.648
Thomas, D. T., Erdman, K. A., & Burke, L. M. (2016). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and ACSM: Nutrition and athletic performance. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(3), 501-528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.006
Vandenberghe, K., Goris, M., Van Hecke, P., Van Leemputte, M., Vangerven, L., & Hespel, P. (1997). Long-term creatine intake is beneficial to muscle performance during resistance training. Journal of Applied Physiology, 83(6), 2055-2063. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1997.83.6.2055
Volek, J. S., & Rawson, E. S. (2004). Scientific basis and practical aspects of creatine supplementation for athletes. Nutrition, 20(7-8), 609-614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2004.04.014
Williams, M. H., Kreider, R. B., & Branch, J. D. (1999). Creatine: The power supplement. Human Kinetics.
Woolstenhulme, M. T., Conlee, R. K., Drummond, M. J., Stites, A. W., & Parcell, A. C. (2005). Temporal response of desmin and dystrophin proteins to progressive resistance exercise in human skeletal muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology, 98(5), 1728-1733. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01009.2004
Zuniga, J. M., Housh, T. J., Camic, C. L., Hendrix, C. R., Mielke, M., Johnson, G. O., Housh, D. J., & Schmidt, R. J. (2012). Effects of creatine monohydrate loading on anaerobic performance and one-repetition maximum strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(6), 1651-1656. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318234eba1
Ziegenfuss, T. N., Lowery, L. M., & Lemon, P. W. R. (1998). Acute fluid volume changes in men during three days of creatine supplementation. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 1(3), 1-9.
Lemon, P. W. R. (2002). Beyond the zone: Protein needs of active individuals. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 19(Suppl 5), 513S-521S. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2000.10718974
Harridge, S. D. R. (2007). Plasticity of human skeletal muscle: Gene expression to in vivo function. Experimental Physiology, 92(5), 783-797. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2006.036525
Katch, V. L., McArdle, W. D., & Katch, F. I. (2011). Essentials of exercise physiology (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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[1] Antonio, J., & Ciccone, V. (2013). The effects of pre versus post workout supplementation of creatine monohydrate on body composition and strength. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-10-36

[2] Balsom, P. D., Soderlund, K., & Ekblom, B. (1994). Creatine in humans with special reference to creatine supplementation. Sports Medicine, 18(4), 268-280. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199418040-00005

[3] Ben Abdelkrim, N., Castagna, C., Jabri, I., Battikh, T., El Fazaa, S., & El Ati, J. (2010). Activity profile and physiological requirements of junior elite basketball players in relation to aerobic-anaerobic fitness. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(9), 2330-2342. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e381c1

[4] Branch, J. D. (2003). Effect of creatine supplementation on body composition and performance: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 13(2), 198-226. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.13.2.198

[5] Crisafulli, D. L., Buddhadev, H. H., Brilla, L. R., Chalmers, G. R., Suprak, D. N., & San Juan, J. G. (2018). Creatine-electrolyte supplementation improves repeated sprint cycling performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0226-y

[6] Greenhaff, P. L., Bodin, K., Soderlund, K., & Hultman, E. (1994). Effect of oral creatine supplementation on skeletal muscle phosphocreatine resynthesis. American Journal of Physiology, 266(5), E725-E730. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.1994.266.5.E725

[7] Hultman, E., Soderlund, K., Timmons, J. A., Cederblad, G., & Greenhaff, P. L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 81(1), 232-237. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1996.81.1.232

[8] Kreider, R. B., Kalman, D. S., Antonio, J., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Wildman, R., Collins, R., Candow, D. G., Kleiner, S. M., Almada, A. L., & Lopez, H. L. (2017). ISSN position stand: Safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z

[9] Lanhers, C., Pereira, B., Naughton, G., Trousselard, M., Lesage, F. X., & Dutheil, F. (2017). Creatine supplementation and upper limb strength performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(1), 163-173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0571-4

[10] McInnes, S. E., Carlson, J. S., Jones, C. J., & McKenna, M. J. (1995). The physiological load imposed on basketball players during competition. Journal of Sports Sciences, 13(5), 387-397. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640419508732254

[11] Mujika, I., & Padilla, S. (1997). Creatine supplementation as an ergogenic aid for sports performance in highly trained athletes: A critical review. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 18(7), 491-496. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-972670

[12] Ostojic, S. M. (2004). Creatine supplementation in young soccer players. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 14(1), 95-103. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.14.1.95

[13] Rawson, E. S., & Volek, J. S. (2003). Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 17(4), 822-831. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2003)017<0822>2.0.CO;2

[14] Rodriguez, N. R., DiMarco, N. M., & Langley, S. (2009). Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and ACSM: Nutrition and athletic performance. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(3), 509-527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.01.005

[15] Sahlin, K., & Ren, J. M. (1989). Relationship of contraction capacity to metabolic changes during recovery from a fatiguing contraction. Journal of Applied Physiology, 67(2), 648-654. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1989.67.2.648

[16] Thomas, D. T., Erdman, K. A., & Burke, L. M. (2016). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and ACSM: Nutrition and athletic performance. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(3), 501-528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.006

[17] Vandenberghe, K., Goris, M., Van Hecke, P., Van Leemputte, M., Vangerven, L., & Hespel, P. (1997). Long-term creatine intake is beneficial to muscle performance during resistance training. Journal of Applied Physiology, 83(6), 2055-2063. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1997.83.6.2055

[18] Volek, J. S., & Rawson, E. S. (2004). Scientific basis and practical aspects of creatine supplementation for athletes. Nutrition, 20(7-8), 609-614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2004.04.014

[19] Williams, M. H., Kreider, R. B., & Branch, J. D. (1999). Creatine: The power supplement. Human Kinetics.

[20] Woolstenhulme, M. T., Conlee, R. K., Drummond, M. J., Stites, A. W., & Parcell, A. C. (2005). Temporal response of desmin and dystrophin proteins to progressive resistance exercise in human skeletal muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology, 98(5), 1728-1733. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01009.2004

[21] Zuniga, J. M., Housh, T. J., Camic, C. L., Hendrix, C. R., Mielke, M., Johnson, G. O., Housh, D. J., & Schmidt, R. J. (2012). Effects of creatine monohydrate loading on anaerobic performance and one-repetition maximum strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(6), 1651-1656. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318234eba1

[22] Ziegenfuss, T. N., Lowery, L. M., & Lemon, P. W. R. (1998). Acute fluid volume changes in men during three days of creatine supplementation. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 1(3), 1-9.

[23] Lemon, P. W. R. (2002). Beyond the zone: Protein needs of active individuals. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 19(Suppl 5), 513S-521S. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2000.10718974

[24] Harridge, S. D. R. (2007). Plasticity of human skeletal muscle: Gene expression to in vivo function. Experimental Physiology, 92(5), 783-797. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2006.036525

[25] Katch, V. L., McArdle, W. D., & Katch, F. I. (2011). Essentials of exercise physiology (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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