The Study
Impact of creatine supplementation and exercise training in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This study looked at lots of different experiments where people took creatine and exercised, and then combined all the results to see what usually happened. It tells us that, on average, creatine and exercise together probably help older people get stronger, but it doesn't prove it for everyone — some studies were messy or didn't follow the rules well.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
This study looked at whether taking creatine (a supplement) while doing strength exercises helps older people get stronger, lose fat, or improve bone health.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 568 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Getting 2 kg stronger is meaningful for daily tasks like standing up or climbing stairs.
- 2Losing half a percent of fat is too small to matter for health.
- 3Bones didn't get stronger.
- 4People who took creatine and did strength training got 2.12 kg stronger in one-rep lifts.
- 5They lost 0.55% body fat on average—but that only happened because of one big study.
- 6Their bone density didn't change at all.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
European Review of Aging and Physical Activity
Year
2025
Authors
Ghazal Sharifian, Parastou Aseminia, D. Heidary, Joseph I. Esformes
Related Content
Claims (4)
Creatine supplementation is associated with improved physical function and maintained muscle mass in older adults.
In adults aged 55 and older, taking creatine supplements along with exercise does not change total body bone mineral density.
In adults aged 55 and older, taking creatine along with exercise training is associated with a 0.55% reduction in body fat percentage, but this result is not consistent across all studies and becomes undetectable when one influential study is removed.
In adults aged 55 and older, taking creatine supplements along with resistance training for 12 weeks results in an average increase of 2.12 kg in one-repetition maximum strength.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.