The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Physical Work Capacity at Altitude

Agathanelou, Daniel (2016) The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Physical Work Capacity at Altitude. Undergraduate thesis, University of Chichester.

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Abstract

Objective. To investigate the potential ergogenic benefits of creatine supplementation on physical work capacity at altitude, by reducing the inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2). Method. Sixteen healthy, physically fit, male participants (19.7 ± 1.9 years) completed a fixed-work rate exercise test under four conditions: sea level pre-supplementation, altitude pre-supplementation, sea level post-supplementation and altitude postsupplementation. Measurements of arterial oxygen saturation (%, SpO2), peak heart rate (b.min-1), heart rate recovery (b.min-1), blood lactate recovery (mmol/L), mass (kg) and perceived exertion (Borg rating) were recorded during all conditions. Results. A reduction in FiO2 elicited a decline in arterial SpO2 (p<0.0005). With this, there was a significant increase in both peak heart rate and perceived exertion (p <0.0005). As expected, both heart rate recovery and blood lactate recovery were delayed as a result (p<0.0005). Post-supplementation, no significant changes to physical work capacity could be reported, although there was a noticeable reduction in perceived exertion and body mass trended toward a significant increase in the creatine group (p =0.077). A significant interaction was found for creatine affecting physical work capacity at altitude, however this was later deemed an anomaly in the data. Conclusion. Physical work capacity during exercise of a fixed-rate at altitude was not affected following 6 days of creatine supplementation. However, significant impairments to many physiological mechanisms were observed during the conditions involving reduced FiO2. A large amount of individual variation was displayed, suggesting different individual tolerances to performing in a hypoxic environment.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Additional Information:	BA (Hons) Adventure Education
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Physical Work Capacity, Creatine Supplementation, Altitude, Acute Exposure, Hypoxia, Hypoxaemia, Arterial Oxygen Saturation, Heart Rate, Blood Lactate, Perceived Exertion, Recovery
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Departments > Adventure Education Undergraduate Dissertations
Depositing User:	Ann Jones
Date Deposited:	10 Jan 2017 11:30
Last Modified:	10 Jan 2017 12:11
URI:	http://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/2274

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