CREATINE AND HEAVY RESISTANCE TRAINING IMPACTS TESTOSTERONE FUNCTION
Gomez, A. L., Volek, J. S., Duncan, N. D., Mazzem, S. A., Putukian, M., & Kraemer, W. J. (1999). Blood lipid and hormonal responses to 12 weeks of creatine supplementation and heavy resistance training. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 1273.
Resistance-trained men were assigned to a creatine (N = 10) or placebo (N = 9) group and performed heavy resistance training 3-4 times per week for 12 weeks. During the first week, creatine Ss consumed 25 g/day of creatine monohydrate, and 5 g/day for the remaining 11 weeks.
There was a significant increase in sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and a decrease in the free androgen index (total testosterone/SHBG) in creatine Ss. Neither group changed in blood lipid profiles, total testosterone, or cortisol.
Creatine supplementation and heavy resistance training appeared to impact the major binding protein for testosterone.
Implication. Creatine impacts testosterone function when taken in conjunction with heavy resistance training.
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