Caffeine counteracts the ergogenic action of muscle creatine loading

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J Appl Physiol. 1996 Feb;80(2):452-7.
Caffeine counteracts the ergogenic action of muscle creatine loading.

Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Department of Kinesiology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.

This study aimed to compare the effects of oral creatine (Cr) supplementation with creatine supplementation in combination with caffeine (Cr+C) on muscle phosphocreatine (PCr) level and performance in healthy male volunteers (n = 9). Before and after 6 days of placebo, Cr (0.5 g x kg-1 x day-1), or Cr (0.5 g x kg-1 x day-1) + C (5 mg x kg-1 x day-1) supplementation, 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the gastrocnemius muscle and a maximal intermittent exercise fatigue test of the knee extensors on an isokinetic dynamometer were performed. The exercise consisted of three consecutive maximal isometric contractions and three interval series of 90, 80, and 50 maximal voluntary contractions performed with a rest interval of 2 min between the series. Muscle ATP concentration remained constant over the three experimental conditions. Cr and Cr+C increased (P < 0.05) muscle PCr concentration by 4-6%. Dynamic torque production, however, was increased by 10-23% (P < 0.05) by Cr but was not changed by Cr+C. Torque improvement during Cr was most prominent immediately after the 2-min rest between the exercise bouts. The data show that Cr supplementation elevates muscle PCr concentration and markedly improves performance during intense intermittent exercise. This ergogenic effect, however, is completely eliminated by caffeine intake.

PMID: 8929583

Just to highlight a few points:

1) Creatine was administered in 8 equal doses split throughout the day.
2) Caffeine was administered in a single dose following breakfast.
3) The participants followed a standardized diet with a 18/50/32 macronutrient breakdown.

It should also be noted that this study corresponds to around 50g and 500mg of Cr/C respectively for a 100kg individual. This is a significant dose of creatine to be rendered useless by the caffeine.

Bad news for the majority of pre-workout supplements out on the market

[Puresweat]

Guess I Should cut back on caffeine.

[Khronos]

1996? Any follow up studies?

[Puresweat]

I found an article that relates to this. I'll try to find some more information.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/berardi5.htm

[GeneGnomeX]

Ca2+

[wild1poet2]

I found an article that relates to this. I'll try to find some more information.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/berardi5.htm

this debate has been around awhile because its an old study. perhaps the BB com article above is self serving but it raises good rebuttals.

interesting controversy though

[GeneGnomeX]

1996? Any follow up studies?

Same group did another one in 2002, another crossover though.

[Puresweat]

http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2002/A/2002833.html


Heres the 2002 study

[GeneGnomeX]

Modification Of The Ergogenic Effects Of Creatine Loading By Caffeine: 1835 2:30 PM -2:45 PM
[F-15: Free Communication/Slide – Supplements and Athletes: FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2005 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM ROOM: Jackson E]

Harris, Roger C.; Sale, Craig; Delves, Simon K.
Univ. College Chichester, Chichester, United Kingdom
(Sponsor: William J. Kraemer FACSM, FACSM)

Vandenberghe et al (1996) J Appl Physiol, 80: 452–457 reported that caffeine (Caf) blocks the ergogenic effect of creatine (Cr). In their study Caf was withdrawn >12 h prior to testing, meaning that Caf withdrawal and not Caf itself may have resulted in the reduced effectiveness of Cr.
PURPOSE

To determine the effect of Caf ingestion and withdrawal on the ergogenic effect of Cr supplementation.
METHODS

Ten healthy subjects participated in this double-blind cross-over design, incorporating two 9d supplementation periods separated by 6w. Pre-treatment testing (T1) was followed by 3d Cr-loading comprising 8 ? (0.5 g Cr.H2O kg-1 body weight).d-1. On day 5, the dose was reduced to 4 ? (0.5 g.kg-1 bw).d-1. From day 5 a single dose of 5mg.kg-1.bw of either Caf or placebo (P) was administered with the 2nd dose of Cr. On day 6, subjects were re-tested 2h after taking Caf or P (T2). Subjects continued supplementation until day 9 and were then tested 24h later (T3). Tests comprised maximal voluntary isokinetic knee contractions (MVC's) from 90? leg flexion to full leg extension performed as 3 series (S1, S2 and S3), each separated by 2 min rest. S1 comprised 3 ? 30, S2 4 ? 20 and S3 5 ? 10-repetitions of MVC's with 60s, 40s and 20s rest periods, respectively, between sets. Values are means (SE).
RESULTS

One subject withdrew from the study because of acute GI distress. Four other subjects reported GI distress when receiving 8 ? 5g Cr.H2O.d-1, which eased with P ingestion but not with Caf. Following Cr+P, mean peak torque (PT) differed between T1 and T2 by +8.94 (1.62)% in S1, +6.79 (2.09)% in S2 and +10.21 (5.68)% in S3 and between T1 and T3 by +9.77 (2.32)% in S1, +8.35 (1.5)% in S2 and + 11.68 (5.59)% in S3. Increases in PT from T1 were significant (P<0.05) in S1 and S2 at T2 and T3. These increases in PT were abolished (P>0.05) when Cr+Caf was administered, with PT differing from T1 in S1, S2 and S3 by -0.22 (1.85)%, -2.09 (2.73)% and +5.73 (8.64)% in T2 and by +0.70 (2.02)%, +3.75 (2.08)% and +14.60 (6.68)% in T3. Although PT was less affected by Caf at T3 (24h post) than at T2 (2h post) the difference was not significant. The difference in response to treatments was significant (P<0.05) for S1 in T2 only.
CONCLUSION

Whilst the results appear to support previous findings in that acute Caf administration may negate the effect of Cr, we consider that GI disturbance with Caf administration may have influenced the outcome of the study.

[Khronos]

I found an article that relates to this. I'll try to find some more information.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/berardi5.htm

That article also suggested liquid creatine was a viable product.

[Danny Nasty]

Hi Guys,

So whats it all mean? A single cup of coffee a day will basically put the waste the $30 tub of creatine I recently purchased?

Danny

[EISELT]

Here's another one;

Opposite actions of caffeine and creatine on muscle relaxation time in humans.
J Appl Physiol. 2002 Feb;92(2):513-8.

The effect of creatine and caffeine supplementation on muscle torque generation and relaxation was investigated in healthy male volunteers. Maximal torque (T(max)), contraction time (CT) from 0.25 to 0.75 of T(max), and relaxation time (RT) from 0.75 to 0.25 of T(max) were measured during an exercise test consisting of 30 intermittent contractions of musculus quadriceps (2 s stimulation, 2 s rest) that were induced by electrical stimulation. According to a double-blind randomized crossover design, subjects (n = 10) performed the exercise test before (pretest) and after (posttest) creatine supplementation (Cr, 4 x 5 g/day, 4 days), short-term caffeine intake (Caf, 5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1), 3 days), creatine supplementation + short-term caffeine intake (Cr+Caf), acute caffeine intake (ACaf, 5 mg/kg) or placebo. Compared with placebo, Cr shortened RT by approximately 5% (P < 0.05). Conversely, Caf increased RT (+ approximately 10%, P < 0.05), in particular as RT increased because of fatigue. RT was not significantly changed by either Cr+Caf or ACaf. T(max) and CT were similar during all experimental conditions. Initial T(max) was approximately 20% of voluntary maximal isometric contraction force, which was not different between treatments. It is concluded that Caf intake (3 days) prolongs muscle RT and by this action overrides the shortening of RT due to creatine supplementation.

[BumpiNoma]

Ive got a study done somewhere in my military work out logs that states the same thing about caffiene having an adverse effect on creatine. Ill see if I cant find the document and load it to post.

[Puresweat]

It probably wouldn't hurt to not take caffeine regularly while taking creatine.