Creatine monohydrate increases strength in patients with neuromuscular disease

Abstract

Creatine monohydrate has been shown to increase strength in studies of young healthy subjects and in a few studies with patients. Creatine monohydrate (10 g daily for 5 days to 5 g daily for 5 days) was administered to patients with neuromuscular disease in a pilot study (Study 1; n = 81), followed by a single-blinded study (Study 2; n = 21). Body weight, handgrip, dorsiflexion, and knee extensor strength were measured before and after treatment. Creatine administration increased all measured indices in both studies. Short-term creatine monohydrate increased high-intensity strength significantly in patients with neuromuscular disease.