It's here!
Hello Everyone,
I've decided it was about time for me to join the 21st century by beginning my own blog. This is new territory for me, so bare with me as I explore this new found venue of information transference. I'm excited about the possibilities that this presents and I hope that you'll enjoy this journey with me.
I've decided it was about time for me to join the 21st century by beginning my own blog. This is new territory for me, so bare with me as I explore this new found venue of information transference. I'm excited about the possibilities that this presents and I hope that you'll enjoy this journey with me.
posted by Frank R Blenman at
8:44 PM
4 Comments:
Wow Frank, you've actually done it. You've started blogging. =) Congrats...now what? (I'm joking)
This post has been removed by the author.
Well, welcome to the 21st century and blogging!
So let's get this party started. I am a figure competitor and was wondering what your take is on creatine. I am off-season and want to gain some muscle (not fat). I wanted to try using creatine to see how it would affect my training and muscle growth. Is off-season a good time to do this or should I wait until I am back in the on-season for my next competition. Your thoughts.
FemininelyFit,
Creatine serves as an energy source that contributes to the body's energy stores during maximal exercise. It is a naturally occurring amino acid (derived from glycine, arginine and methionine). It is primarily stored as phosphocreatine in skeletal muscle. The amount of phosphocreatine in the skeletal muscle partially determines the length of time that maximum muscle work can be done. Creatine is naturally supplied through a diet of meat and fish.
The theory is that by increasing muscle creatine and phosphocreatine content, it would enhance the capacity of the phosphagen energy system. This would/should provide greater resistance to fatigue, increase body mass, speed recovery from high-intensity exercise and improve performance.
There have been quite a few studies done that do support the theories that creatine can improve performance, increase body mass, enhances high-intensity exercise performance and strength gains. The increase in body mass may be more of a by-product of increased water retention. However, there are limits to what creatine supplementation can do. When tested for effectiveness in improving running and swimming performance, it failed. But it was effective in improving sprinting times. This supports the theory that creatine is effective for high-intensity exercises or events.
ACSM suggests that there are health risks associated with taking creatine as a supplement. However, according to Mayhew and Ware, their long-term study did not find any dysfunction associated with prolonged usage of creatine. Additional studies have not uncovered any ill effects of taking this supplement.
FemininelyFit, to answer directly, off-season is the best time to introduce creatine into your regimen, if you feel it is necessary. As I state already, creatine does increase body mass, but as a by-product of water retention. And as you well know, water retention is deadly to a figure competitor. So, as a show nears, ween yourself off of the supplement in enough time to lose the water.
FRB
Post a Comment
<< Home