The Claim

Creatine monohydrate supplementation without concurrent resistance training does not significantly increase lean mass or muscle strength in postmenopausal women, and the ergogenic effects of creatine require mechanical loading to manifest.

Source: Creatine monohydrate for lean mass, strength, and bone density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
94score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In postmenopausal women, taking creatine monohydrate without doing resistance exercises does not lead to increases in lean mass or muscle strength. The performance benefits of creatine depend on the presence of mechanical loading from resistance training.

See the scientific wording

Creatine monohydrate supplementation without concurrent resistance training does not significantly increase lean mass or muscle strength in postmenopausal women, indicating that the ergogenic effects of creatine require mechanical loading to manifest.

Why this might work

Creatine lets muscle cells recover energy faster during hard exercise. This allows a person to lift heavier or do more reps, which pulls harder on muscles and bones. The increased pull triggers muscle cells to build more protein and grow larger, leading to more muscle mass and strength. Without this physical effort, creatine does nothing.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Creatine monohydrate for lean mass, strength, and bone density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Taking creatine alone didn’t help postmenopausal women get stronger or gain muscle — they needed to lift weights too. Creatine only worked when paired with exercise.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.