The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of creatine use on some performance parameters in football players. Performance tests were applied to the participants twice with 14-day intervals. In the study, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was determined by the Borg scale, and muscle pain was determined by the visual analog scale (VAS). In addition, gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) was applied to the participants. After body composition measurements, the participants (n=16) were randomly divided into two groups as experimental and placebo groups. The experimental group received nutritional supplementation in daily use and dosage in accordance with the literature, and the placebo group received an equal amount of wheat bran for 14 days. Following the completion of the nutritional supplementation, the athletes' performance levels were reassessed, and the pre-test and post-test results were compared. Sixteen volunteer men with an average age of 22.18±3.93 years, an average height of 168.68±41.49, and an average body weight of 75.25±7.15 who were active football players at Sinop 1957 Sports Club in Sinop province participated in the study. Performance tests were executed at the same time and in the same order on each test day, taking into account the circadian rhythm. SPSS 22.0 statistical package program was used for data analysis. In the pre-test-post-test comparison of the creatine group, a significant difference was found only in the ball speed and agility test (p<0.05), while no significant difference was found in other performance parameters (p>0.05). In the pre-test-post-test comparison of the placebo group, a significant difference was found only in the ball speed test (p<0.05), while no significant difference was found in other performance parameters (p>0.05). In the comparison between groups, a significant difference was found in the vertical jump, sprint, sit-up, and agility tests after nutritional supplementation, while a significant difference was found only in ball speed before nutritional supplementation (p<0.05). In conclusion, it can be stated that creatine supplementation has a beneficial impact on vertical jump, sprint, sit-up, and agility tests. These findings suggest that creatine supplementation is an effective method for enhancing the physical performance of football players. In line with the findings of the study, it is recommended that football players take creatine supplementation during training periods in order to enhance their performance.
Creatine, nutritional supplement, performance, training, football