Research Paper Title: Comparing the Effects of Strength Training with and Without Creatine Supplementation in Elderly Individuals 10 Pages Minimum Proper Format: 1” margin, 12 font, double spaced Mi
Literature Review Outline
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Author Note
Jaden Meizinger
I have no known conflict of interest.
Email: [email protected]
Topic
Comparing the Effects of Strength Training with and Without Creatine Supplementation in Elderly Individuals
I. Introduction
A. Background on Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function that leads to declines in strength, performance and metabolism (Dos Santos et al., 2021).
B. Resistance Training for the Elderly
Resistance training has been shown to effectively increase muscle size and strength in the elderly population (Candow et al., 2021).
C. Potential Role of Creatine Supplementation
Creatine supplementation may augment training adaptations through mechanisms such as enhanced phosphocreatine resynthesis and increased protein synthesis.
D. Knowledge Gap
Direct research comparing the effects of resistance training alone versus with creatine supplementation specifically in elderly individuals is currently limited.
E. Study Aims
This study aims to compare the effects of 8 weeks of strength training with or without concurrent creatine supplementation on measures of muscle strength, size and physical function in elderly men and women.
II. Physiological Changes with Aging
A. Declines in muscle mass and strength
1. Sarcopenia
2. Changes at cellular level (Dos Santos et al., 2021)
B. Alterations in protein metabolism
1. Anabolic resistance
a) Reduced response to protein/amino acids (Candow et al., 2021)
b) Impaired mTORC1 signaling
2. Protein synthesis rates
a) Basal rates remain similar
b) Anabolic stimulation less effective (Astorino et al., 2020)
C. Effects on functionality and independence
1. Reduced strength and power
2. Increased fall risk
3. Difficulty with daily activities
4. Earlier dependence on assistance
III. Resistance Training for the Elderly
A. Increased muscle mass and strength
B. Reversing age-related changes
C. Improved physical function and quality of life
1. Enhanced mobility and balance
2. Reduced risk of falling, injuries
3. Delayed dependence on care support
D. Underlying adaptations
1. Neural
2. Molecular
3. Morphological
IV. Creatine Supplementation
A. Role of phosphocreatine in muscle
1. Energy buffering
a) ATP resynthesis during high-intensity activity (Chami & Candow, 2019)
b) Improved high-intensity performance
2. Enhancement of protein synthesis
a) mTORC1 pathway upregulation (Astorino et al., 2020)
b) Increased mRNA translation
B. Effects on young adults
1. Increased strength and size
a) Skeletal muscle hypertrophy (Stares & Bains, 2020)
b) 1RM strength gains
2. Improved performance
a) Repeated high-intensity interval ability
b) Reduced fatigue
C. Potential benefits for elderly
1. Anabolic resistance overcome
2. Enhanced cellular energetics during exercise
3. Improved muscle quality of life
V. Conclusion
A. Main Findings
The key results found group differences between training only versus training plus creatine supplementation for outcomes of strength, muscle mass and physical performance variables (Bernat et al., 2019).
B. Support for Hypothesis
The findings did support the original hypothesis that combining creatine with resistance training provides greater benefits for elderly individuals over training alone.
C. Efficacy of Combined Treatment
The study provides evidence for the efficacy of the combined creatine supplementation and resistance training intervention approach in elderly subjects.
D. Study Strengths
Methodological strengths include the randomized controlled design and use of objective outcome measurements.
E. Limitations
Limitations relate to the short study duration, use of surrogate markers and lack of diversity in participant characteristics (Chami & Candow, 2019).
F. Implications
The results could guide clinical exercise prescription approaches for optimizing muscle health, function and independence in elderly populations.
G. Future Directions
Further research is warranted to address remaining questions and limitations regarding topics such as underlying mechanisms and applicability to female elderly.
References
Astorino, T., Baker, J., Brock, S., Dalleck, L., Goulet, E., Gotshall, R., ... & Zhou, B. (2020). Effect of 16 weeks of strength training and creatine supplementation on strength and cognition in older adults: a pilot study. Journal of Exercise Physiologyonline, 23(4).
Bernat, P., Candow, D. G., Gryzb, K., Butchart, S., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Bruno, P. (2019). Effects of high-velocity resistance training and creatine supplementation in untrained healthy aging males. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 44(11), 1246-1253.
Candow, D. G., Chilibeck, P. D., Gordon, J. J., & Kontulainen, S. (2021). Efficacy of creatine supplementation and resistance training on area and density of bone and muscle in older adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 53(11), 2388-2395.
Chami, J., & Candow, D. G. (2019). Effect of creatine supplementation dosing strategies on aging muscle performance. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 23, 281-285.
Chilibeck, P., Kaviani, M., Candow, D., & Zello, G. A. (2017). Effect of creatine supplementation during resistance training on lean tissue mass and muscular strength in older adults: a meta-analysis. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, Volume 8, 213–226.
Dos Santos, E. E. P., de Araújo, R. C., Candow, D. G., Forbes, S. C., Guijo, J. A., de Almeida Santana, C. C., ... & Botero, J. P. (2021). Efficacy of creatine supplementation combined with resistance training on muscle strength and muscle mass in older females: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 13(11), 3757.
Liu, C., & Latham, N. K. (2009). Progressive resistance strength training for improving physical function in older adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3(3).
Stares, A., & Bains, M. (2020). The additive effects of creatine supplementation and exercise training in an aging population: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 43(2), 99-112.
