Research article - (2011)10, 254 - 260
Effects of Combined Creatine Plus Fenugreek Extract vs. Creatine Plus Carbohydrate Supplementation on Resistance Training Adaptations
Lem Taylor1,2,, Chris Poole3, Earnest Pena1, Morgan Lewing1, Richard Kreider4, Cliffa Foster1, Colin Wilborn1,2
1Human Performance Lab,
2Exercise Biochemistry Lab, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX, USA
3Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
4Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, TX, USA

Lem Taylor
✉ The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Human Performance, Laboratory, UMHB Box 8010, Belton, Texas 76513, USA
Email: ltalyor@umhb.edu
Received: 07-10-2010 -- Accepted: 07-01-2011
Published (online): 01-06-2011
ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined creatine and fenugreek extract supplementation on strength and body composition. Forty- seven resistance trained men were matched according to body weight to ingest either 70 g of a dextrose placebo (PL), 5 g creatine/70 g of dextrose (CRD) or 3.5 g creatine/900 mg fenugreek extract (CRF) and participate in a 4-d/wk periodized resistance-training program for 8-weeks. At 0, 4, and 8-weeks, subjects were tested on body composition, muscular strength and endurance, and anaerobic capacity. Statistical analyses utilized a separate 3X3 (condition [PL vs. CRD vs. CRF] x time [T1 vs. T2 vs. T3]) ANOVAs with repeated measures for all criterion variables (p ≤ 0.05). No group x time interaction effects or main effects (p > 0.05) were observed for any measures of body composition. CRF group showed significant increases in lean mass at T2 (p = 0.001) and T3 (p = 0.001). Bench press 1RM increased in PL group (p = 0.050) from T1-T3 and in CRD from T1-T2 (p = 0. 001) while remaining significant at T3 (p < 0.001). CRF group showed a significant increase in bench press 1RM from T1-T2 (p < 0.001), and also increased from T2-T3 (p = 0.032). Leg press 1RM significantly increased at all time points for PL, CRD, and CRF groups (p < 0.05). No additional between or within group changes were observed for any performance variables and serum clinical safety profiles (p > 0.05). In conclusion, creatine plus fenugreek extract supplementation had a significant impact on upper body strength and body composition as effectively as the combination of 5g of creatine with 70g of dextrose. Thus, the use of fenugreek with creatine supplementation may be an effective means for enhancing creatine uptake while eliminating the need for excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates.
Key words: Fenugreek, creatine, supplementation, performance adaptations

Key Points
  • Fenugreek plus creatine supplementation may be a new means of increasing creatine uptake.
  • Creatine plus fenugreek seems to be just as effective as the classic creatine plus carbohydrate ingestion in terms of stimulating training adaptations.
  • This is the first study to our knowledge that has combined fenugreek with creatine supplementation in conjunction with a resistance training program.








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Effects of Combined Creatine Plus Fenugreek Extract vs. Creatine Plus Carbohydrate Supplementation on Resistance Training Adaptations
Lem Taylor, Chris Poole, Earnest Pena, Morgan Lewing, Richard Kreider, Cliffa Foster, Colin Wilborn
2011(10), 254 - 260.
DOI: https://doi.org/