Effects of high-load, velocity-intentional variable resistance training combined with creatine supplementation on neuroplasticity, oxidative stress, inflammation, physical function, cognitive performance and quality of life in older adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

This six-arm randomised trial assigned 103 community-dwelling older adults, mean age 68.2 years, to elastic-band or water-based high-load, velocity-intentional resistance training, each with creatine or placebo, or non-training control with creatine or placebo. Training lasted 16 weeks, three 60-minute sessions per week. Creatine intake was 3 g daily. The outcome list was broad: brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxidative and inflammatory markers, strength, handgrip, timed up-and-go, chair stands, 6-minute walk, trail making, and SF-36 quality of life. The abstract reports significant improvements across both training modalities in neurocognitive biomarkers, oxidative and inflammatory profiles, strength, function, cognition, and quality of life. It also states that aquatic training was particularly effective for oxidative stress and inflammation and that creatine gave complementary, modality-specific benefits. However, the results section supplies no numerical effects, p-values, or arm-by-arm comparisons. That prevents a clear estimate of what 3 g/day of creatine added beyond training. The findings support exercise in older adults more directly than they support a standalone creatine claim.

Creatine supplementation confers complementary, modality-specific benefits when combined with high-speed resistance exercise.