The effect of acute creatine supplementation on stroke quality was investigated during
simulated match play. Well-trained tennis players reported to the test center on two
occasions. On each occasion they performed the Leuven Tennis Performance Test (LTPT)
and a 70 m shuttle run (SHR). During 5 days prior to each test session they received
in random order and according to a double-blind cross-over study design either oral
creatine supplements (4 × 5 g per day) or placebo. The two experimental periods were
separated by a 5-week washout period. Stroke quality was evaluated during the LTPT
by means of registration of error rate and measurement of ball velocity and precision
of lateral and longitudinal ball placement. Compared with placebo, creatine supplementation
did not significantly impact on either power or precision of first and second services,
baseline strokes in neutral and defensive rallies, and volleys. Shuttle run time was
19.87 ± 0.30 sec during placebo versus 19.85 ± 0.27 sec during creatine treatment. Acute creatine supplementation does
not enhance stroke performance or sprint power in match-like conditions in elite tennis
players.
Creatine, - intermittent exercise, - ergogenics.
