The Effect of Creatine on Muscle Loss

Seven days of one-legged knee immobilisation in young subjects with creatine or Placebo supplementation. A randomly selected leg is immobilized for seven days. Muscle mass and strength will be determined and muscle biopsies will be collected before and immediately after immobilisation. A week after the cast is removed we will assess any differences in recovery between intervention groups.

Inclusion criteria

• Male
• Aged from 18-35 years
• 18.5 < BMI < 30 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

• (Family) history of thrombosis
• Smoking
• Recent surgery
• Performing regular resistance training more than once per week in the past year
• Any back/leg/knee/shoulder complaints which may interfere with the use of crutches
• Current systemic use of corticosteroids, growth hormone, testosterone, immunosuppressants or insulin
• All co-morbidities interacting with mobility and muscle metabolism of the lower limbs (e.g. arthritis, spasticity/rigidity, all neurological disorders and paralysis)
• Use of anti-coagulants
• Pre-existing renal disease or those with a potential risk for renal dysfunction (diabetes, hypertension, reduced glomerular filtration rate)