Creatine Supplementation in Medical Rehabilitation: A Potential Catalyst for Recovery and Functional Improvement
Date
2-18-2025
Faculty Mentor
Majid Koozehchian, Kinesiology; Gina Mabrey, Kinesiology
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
9:30-9:40am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
Please note: no video is available for this presentation.
The use of creatine supplementation in medical rehabilitation is emerging as a transformative tool, receiving widespread recognition for its natural ability to increase recovery time and improve functional outcomes in patients with a variety of medical conditions and injuries. Creatine can potentially be the bridge between sports performance and medical rehab as research suggests that the supplement can increase muscle mass and strength and aid in a patient’s faster recovery, particularly in individuals with muscle weakness or atrophy, neurological conditions that impair muscle function like Parkinson’s, and injury-related disorders. Research indicates that creatine supplementation is crucial in the enhancement of muscle recovery and strength, which are vital to optimize rehabilitation gains. In muscle weakness and atrophy patients, supplementation of muscular bulk has proved to be highly advantageous in speeding up the healing process, leading to increased mobility and independence. The effectiveness of creatine lies in the ability of the drug to work by supplementing the phosphocreatine system, a rate-limiting factor in the replenishment of ATP, the immediate energy source used in muscle contraction. This ensures quicker recovery, more efficient rehabilitation, and improved long-term functional status of the patient. Despite the promising results, there are some areas of weakness in the current literature. Although short-term creatine effects have been well documented, further research is needed to establish dosage recommendations for particular patient groups and to investigate long-term effects of supplementation. The safety profile, tolerability, and affordability of creatine make it an appealing choice for clinical use. As a complement to typical rehabilitation regimens, such as physical therapy and resistance training, the combination of creatine supplementation has the potential to maximize outcomes of recovery. Its wide range of use among different patient populations, including neurological disorders or chronic disease, serves to highlight its utility as an adjunctive treatment component. However, to produce optimal outcomes, clinicians must adhere to standard dosing recommendations, seeking to minimize risk while ensuring patient health. Although the encouraging results, numerous limitations in the current research remain. Although the short-term effects of creatine are well established, more studies are needed to optimize dosage for various patient populations and to determine the long-term consequences of supplementation. Studies involving older adults and patients with chronic illnesses are especially relevant, as these populations might have varying responses to supplementation. Understanding the effects of creatine in these specific populations will enable dosing regimens to be tailored and its therapeutic effectiveness optimized in the context of medical rehabilitation. Creatine supplementation is a low-risk, low-cost, and safe strategy with significant potential to improve recovery and functional outcomes in the rehabilitative process. The potential to augment muscular strength and aid recovery has been demonstrated in several patient populations, like those with muscle weakness or atrophy, neurological impairment, and trauma. To fully maximize its therapeutic potential, even more investigative efforts will have to be aimed at demystifying current issues regarding long-term duration of administration, accurate dosage recommendations, and optimal applications within diverse clinical populations. As ongoing research unfolds, creatine supplementation can become a standard part of personalized rehabilitation programs, enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.
Keywords
student research, kinesiology
Rights
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Disciplines
Kinesiology
Recommended Citation
Carter, Katherine, "Creatine Supplementation in Medical Rehabilitation: A Potential Catalyst for Recovery and Functional Improvement" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 39.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/39
