EFFECTS OF CREATINE ON MAXIMUM BENCH PRESS PERFORMANCE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 weeks creatine supplementation during a resistance training programme on maximum bench press performance in amateur rugby players. Results showed a significant increase in 1RM in both groups, p=0.00 and p=0.003, while post hoc tests showed no significant difference between groups post 4 weeks, p=0.33, a more substantial increase was observed in the creatine group. There was also a significant increase in body mass in both groups, p=0.00 and p=0.013, while post hoc tests showed that there was no significant difference between groups post 4 weeks, p=0.767, a more substantial increase was observed in the creatine group. A significant difference was found in total body water (TBW) in the creatine group, p=0.002, with no change in the placebo group, p=0.889. There was no change in muscular endurance, total work done, BMI, fat% or skin-folds measures. Although creatine supplementation did not show significant differences in 1RM, TBW or body mass compared to the placebo, there was a distinctive pattern in the data suggesting that creatine leads to an enhanced training affect.