Creatine supplementation and resistance training: a comparison between novice and experienced lifters - a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
Ashtary-Larky D, Mohammadi S, Hajizadeh L, Mousavi SAH, Forbes SC, Candow DG, Antonio J
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 4 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Authors
- At least one author declares a financial tie to industry
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-09-30 · J Int Soc Sports Nutr · vol. 22 · issue sup1 · p. 2586523
- Publisher
- Springer Science+Business Media
- Cited
- 4 citations · more than 65% of similar papers · 0.8× the field average
- References
- 114 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · OTHER-OA
- Research areas
- Muscle metabolism and nutrition · Exercise and Physiological Responses · Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- Resistance training, Sports medicine, Clinical nutrition, Creatine, Physical activity, Anthropometry
- MeSH
- humans, creatine, body mass index, body composition, dose-response relationship, drug, weight lifting, dietary supplements, resistance training
7 authors
From IR, MY, CA, US
- Damoon Ashtary‐Larky · correspondingAhvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
- Shooka MohammadiUniversity of Malaya
- Leila HajizadehIslamic Azad University, Marvdasht
- Seyed Amir Hossein MousaviAhvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
- Scott C. ForbesBrandon University
- Darren Glenn CandowUniversity of Regina
Abstract
Background
Creatine (Cr) supplementation is well established for enhancing fat-free mass (FFM) when combined with resistance training (RT). However, the influence of prior training experience on supplementation efficacy remains unknown.
Objective
This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of controlled trials evaluated the effects of Cr supplementation combined with RT on body composition, with particular emphasis on the differences between trained (experienced) and untrained (novice) individuals.
Methods
A systematic search of major databases was conducted to identify controlled trials published until March 2025. The effects of Cr supplementation on body mass, body mass index (BMI), FFM, fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage (BFP) were examined using random-effects meta-analysis.
Results
A pooled analysis of 61 trials revealed that Cr supplementation significantly increased FFM (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 1.39 kg; 95% confidence intereval (CI): 1.07,1.70; p p < 0.001) without significant effects on FM, BMI, and BFP. Trained individuals exhibited greater, though non-significant, gains in FFM (1.82 vs. 1.23 kg) compared with untrained participants, despite similar increases in total body mass. Dose-response analyses identified significant relationships between Cr dose and changes in body mass and BMI. Furthermore, supplementation duration was associated with changes in BFP and body mass.
Conclusion
Both novice and experienced lifters gained FFM with Cr supplementation compared to placebo. The increase in FFM was approximately 0.6 kg (≈50%) greater in experienced participants; however, this between-group difference was not statistically significant.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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