Creatine

Power is the ability to exert maximum muscular contraction in explosive bursts of movement. Creatine is proven to increase the ability to perform repeated bouts of higher intensity and power-based exercise... more

Whether you're on the pitch, the track or the court, all sports require strength in some form. Strength is the ability of an individual to produce a maximal force against resistance, although it is sometimes referred to as power or building muscle. Increases in strength are gained from effective resistance training combined with suitable nutritional strategies, such as the use of creatine and protein.

Here we cover the theory and key tips on creatine intake that will help improve your performance and give you an edge.

This graph provides key tips for tailoring creatine intake for sport.

This chemical 'reaction' represents the way that creatine, in the form of creatine phosphate, functions to regenerate ATP. ATP is the immediate energy source needed for the muscle to contract. By facilitating this reaction, the body has more energy to train harder and for longer.

Strength training places a large demand on the short term (PCr) energy system. Creatine supplementation increases muscle creatine stores and increases maximal energy production.

The result is an increased ability to perform repeated bouts of higher intensity training, leading to increased muscle mass and power.

Creatine is an essential supplement for skiers as it supplies a valuable energy source needed for repeated high intensity workloads in training, both on snow and in the gym, therefore the athletes can perform at maximum levels longer and for more workloads and therefore get the strength and power gains needed.

The carbohydrates are equally essential both as an energy supply and also to ensure that the creatine is absorbed and reaches the working muscles.

Tilston - Head Coach of the British Alpine Ski Team