The Claim

In young, healthy men aged 18–25, daily supplementation with 20 grams of creatine monohydrate during one week of upper-limb immobilization reduces the decline in elbow extensor endurance by 28.5 percentage points compared to placebo, preserving muscular fatigue resistance during disuse.

Source: Effect of Creatine Supplementation During Cast-Induced Immobilization on the Preservation of Muscle Mass, Strength, and Endurance

What the research says

Supports is higher

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

Supports
57score
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.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In young healthy men aged 18–25, taking 20 grams of creatine monohydrate daily for one week while the arm is immobilized results in a 28.5 percentage point smaller reduction in elbow extensor endurance compared to taking a placebo.

See the scientific wording

In young, healthy men aged 18–25, daily supplementation with 20 grams of creatine monohydrate during one week of upper-limb immobilization likely reduces the decline in elbow extensor endurance by 28.5 percentage points compared to placebo, preserving muscular fatigue resistance during disuse.

Why this might work

Creatine builds up in muscle cells and helps make more energy quickly when muscles work, which keeps them from getting tired fast. It also signals the muscle to make more proteins and add more nuclei, helping the muscle stay strong even when it's not being used.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effect of Creatine Supplementation During Cast-Induced Immobilization on the Preservation of Muscle Mass, Strength, and Endurance

    When young men had their arm stuck in a cast for a week, those who took creatine every day lost much less arm strength and endurance than those who took a sugar pill—specifically, creatine helped them keep about 28% more of their endurance than the placebo group.

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.