Date of Award
5-10-2026
Date Published
June 2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Exercise Science
Advisor(s)
Kylie Harmon
Subject Categories
Kinesiology | Life Sciences
Abstract
This study examined the effects of short-term high-dose creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation on neuromuscular and corticospinal function in healthy adults. Creatine is widely recognized for its role in enhancing muscular performance and energy availability, yet its short-term effects on neural and neuromuscular outcomes remain unclear. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether three days of CrM loading would influence maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) peak torque, corticospinal excitability (CSE) measured via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle quality via echo intensity (EI). Nine healthy creatine-naive adults completed a repeated-measures design consisting of pre- and post-supplementation testing following 72 hours of CrM intake (15g/day). Paired-samples t-tests revealed no significant differences in MVC peak torque, MEP amplitude, or muscular outcomes following supplementation. The results suggest that brief supplementation periods may be insufficient to elicit functional neuromuscular or neural adaptations in healthy individuals. While CrM remains a well-supported ergogenic aid, its benefits for neuromuscular performance and neural function likely depend on longer supplementation durations, concurrent training stimuli, or conditions of metabolic stress. Future research should investigate extended loading protocols, larger sample sizes, and training interventions to better understand the timeline and mechanisms through which CrM supplementation influences neuromuscular and neural outcomes.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Petry, Mark, "The Role of Creatine Supplementation on Neuromuscular Function" (2026). Theses - ALL. 1028.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/1028
