Does Creatine Help Rowers Go Faster?
Effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation during combined strength and high intensity rowing training on performance.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Creatine supplementation provided no additional benefit over placebo in trained rowers despite a well-established loading protocol.
Creatine is widely believed to enhance anaerobic performance and muscle gains—this study contradicts that in a population (trained rowers) expected to benefit most.
Practical Takeaways
If you're a trained rower or athlete doing combined endurance and strength training, you may not need creatine to see gains—focus on consistent training instead.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Creatine supplementation provided no additional benefit over placebo in trained rowers despite a well-established loading protocol.
Creatine is widely believed to enhance anaerobic performance and muscle gains—this study contradicts that in a population (trained rowers) expected to benefit most.
Practical Takeaways
If you're a trained rower or athlete doing combined endurance and strength training, you may not need creatine to see gains—focus on consistent training instead.
Publication
Journal
Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquee
Year
2001
Authors
D. Syrotuik, A. Game, E. Gillies, G. Bell
Related Content
Claims (4)
Taking 3 to 5 grams of creatine every day can help your muscles store more energy, making you stronger, more powerful, and better at building muscle when you lift weights—without making you gain fat.
Taking creatine powder while doing intense rowing and weight training won’t make you stronger, faster, or change your body composition any more than taking a sugar pill instead.
Taking creatine monohydrate won’t help trained rowers do more reps during weight training or maintain higher power during repeated rowing sprints.
If trained rowers do six weeks of intense rowing and weight training, they’ll get stronger, row faster, and lose fat or gain muscle—even if they don’t take creatine supplements.