Is there a simple test to determine whether muscle creatine level is below average?
No. Experimental studies use a muscle biopsy to determine the actual muscle creatine content. A hollow needle is inserted into the muscle to withdraw a sample of muscle tissue for analysis. Since individuals with adequate muscle stores do not retain additional creatine from supplementation, some studies have used weight gain as an indicator of low initial creatine status. This assumes that any weight gain is the result of creatine retention within the muscle and that the creatine retention leads to fluid retention to increase body weight. By this reasoning, if the athlete has adequate creatine levels, there would be no weight gain since there is an upper limit for muscle creatine. Advocates of supplementation (or perhaps those who gain financially from the sale of creatine) suggest athletes consume 20 g per day for five days to check whether performance improves. If this is done, performance must be tested in a very objective manner with time trials, number of repetitions one can compl
Related Questions
- Are fifth grade applicants to KIPP schools tested to determine their grade level? If yes, and they test below fifth grade, are they still admitted?
- Can you now determine the cognitive demand level of the 2008 TAKS releases test items?
- Is there a simple test to determine if a patient should take nutritional supplements?
