Creatine

[spindolero 1,111]

My 16 year old is wanting to get bigger for rugby and has been advised to do Creatine.

Not comfortable with it myself, heard it put stress on kidneys and also maybe the long term effects aren't fully known yet?

What are people's thoughts/advice?

[marshman 7,758]

Gave it to a good coursing dog I had once it didn't make him run any better but he did bulk up , long term health affects I've no idea mate but that's my experience of it .

[Onlyworkmatters 1,584]

As Max said a 16 year old needs sleep good grub and hard training

[spindolero 1,111]

glad to hear i'm not the only one thinks that -

any opposing views?

[Waz 4,274]

Good food and good work Creatine is naturally in red meat, so unless he's a vegetarian.... lol

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/533707-how-much-creatine-is-in-red-meat/

Edited May 16, 2016 by Columbo

[Born Hunter 17,812]

Just to point out, creatine is not some unnatural drug. It naturally forms part of your diet in red meat and is produced by the body! It's a supplement that's been used for years and probably the most researched/studied one there is. The fact that it is already found in your diet means that responses to supplementing will be different on an individual basis, some will benefit, some won't, largely depending on how much is already in your diet. The role it plays is as a very short term energy supply, keeping your muscle's creatine supplies stocked theoretically enables you to push strength/power based training a little further, therefore aiding progression.

 

I'm not saying your lad is ready for that, I'm not advising you on that, just what creatine is. A sports and health professional should be the only one to do that. What I will say though is that getting the right calorie balance and nutrient balance will be the greatest concern of any athlete before supplementation.

Edited May 16, 2016 by Born Hunter

[VOON 1,317]

My lad uses it, maybe better using creative than something else...........there all taking protein etc....might be better to use creatine than to look at something harder.....

[TeDuke 276]

Technique is just as important imo, what position does your lad play ?

[spindolero 1,111]

Technique is just as important imo, what position does your lad play ?

hes a lock - 6ft but skinny in a wiry sort of way - he be giving couple stone away at least to opposite numbers but has made up for it with stamina and he plays stronger than his weight, but now going up to youth he'll be against 19 year olds -

[trigger2 3,146]

Just to point out, creatine is not some unnatural drug. It naturally forms part of your diet in red meat and is produced by the body! It's a supplement that's been used for years and probably the most researched/studied one there is. The fact that it is already found in your diet means that responses to supplementing will be different on an individual basis, some will benefit, some won't, largely depending on how much is already in your diet. The role it plays is as a very short term energy supply, keeping your muscle's creatine supplies stocked theoretically enables you to push strength/power based training a little further, therefore aiding progression.

 

I'm not saying your lad is ready for that, I'm not advising you on that, just what creatine is. A sports and health professional should be the only one to do that. What I will say though is that getting the right calorie balance and nutrient balance will be the greatest concern of any athlete before supplementation.

i was led to believe that creatine baisically just helps the muscle hold more water so it gives the impression of a bigger muscle, so it dont improve actuall muscle size. not sure how right that that info is.

[Paulnix 426]

To be honest unless he puts on several more inches he may end up on the flank esp if he got the stamina, nothing worse than a wiry bugger at 7 nicking and spoiling ball, I'd make sure the eating, rest and training is right and see how it goes for a few seasons.

[spindolero 1,111]

To be honest unless he puts on several more inches he may end up on the flank esp if he got the stamina, nothing worse than a wiry bugger at 7 nicking and spoiling ball, I'd make sure the eating, rest and training is right and see how it goes for a few seasons.

 

Yes Paulnix I think he will end up a 6 - he should make 6'2 or 6'3 and got a good frame so could carry 15 stone but even in local rugby thats not a big second row.

and yes he is over the ball a lot and slows ball down and doesn't mind the nitty gritty side of it.

[Born Hunter 17,812]

 

Just to point out, creatine is not some unnatural drug. It naturally forms part of your diet in red meat and is produced by the body! It's a supplement that's been used for years and probably the most researched/studied one there is. The fact that it is already found in your diet means that responses to supplementing will be different on an individual basis, some will benefit, some won't, largely depending on how much is already in your diet. The role it plays is as a very short term energy supply, keeping your muscle's creatine supplies stocked theoretically enables you to push strength/power based training a little further, therefore aiding progression.

 

I'm not saying your lad is ready for that, I'm not advising you on that, just what creatine is. A sports and health professional should be the only one to do that. What I will say though is that getting the right calorie balance and nutrient balance will be the greatest concern of any athlete before supplementation.

i was led to believe that creatine baisically just helps the muscle hold more water so it gives the impression of a bigger muscle, so it dont improve actuall muscle size. not sure how right that that info is.

 

 

What people call 'muscle gain' is usually a combination of water weight, glycogen (glyco something at least) and finally actual muscle protein. I can't remember the physiological reason but yes creatine increases water retention which makes your muscles look more 'swollen' or 'massive'. But that's not why performance athletes value it, they value it for it's actual role in the body, which is to supply energy to muscles during short term explosive exercise. By ensuring your muscle's creatine stores are filled you will be able to perform explosive work for longer, therefore pushing you body that little bit further to encourage that adaptation/growth desired. That's the basic theory anyway.

 

Because it increases water retention, some people claim it to be some sort of miracle supplement "gaining a stone in a week" etc. I think real performance/muscle mass improvements are a little less fantastical. The same can be said of all dietary supplements.

Edited May 16, 2016 by Born Hunter

[neems 2,406]

 

Just to point out, creatine is not some unnatural drug. It naturally forms part of your diet in red meat and is produced by the body! It's a supplement that's been used for years and probably the most researched/studied one there is. The fact that it is already found in your diet means that responses to supplementing will be different on an individual basis, some will benefit, some won't, largely depending on how much is already in your diet. The role it plays is as a very short term energy supply, keeping your muscle's creatine supplies stocked theoretically enables you to push strength/power based training a little further, therefore aiding progression.

 

I'm not saying your lad is ready for that, I'm not advising you on that, just what creatine is. A sports and health professional should be the only one to do that. What I will say though is that getting the right calorie balance and nutrient balance will be the greatest concern of any athlete before supplementation.

i was led to believe that creatine baisically just helps the muscle hold more water so it gives the impression of a bigger muscle, so it dont improve actuall muscle size. not sure how right that that info is.

 

I think that extra water brings other nutrients and helps muscles grow,either way as said it's the most researched supplement so plenty to read up on and make up your own mind.

[bird 9,982]

Just to point out, creatine is not some unnatural drug. It naturally forms part of your diet in red meat and is produced by the body! It's a supplement that's been used for years and probably the most researched/studied one there is. The fact that it is already found in your diet means that responses to supplementing will be different on an individual basis, some will benefit, some won't, largely depending on how much is already in your diet. The role it plays is as a very short term energy supply, keeping your muscle's creatine supplies stocked theoretically enables you to push strength/power based training a little further, therefore aiding progression.

 

I'm not saying your lad is ready for that, I'm not advising you on that, just what creatine is. A sports and health professional should be the only one to do that. What I will say though is that getting the right calorie balance and nutrient balance will be the greatest concern of any athlete before supplementation.

and your genetics play a big part, how big you will go. i done weights for 3 years, and deff got stronger from the 1st day i ever started, but could never go more than 18lb above my natural weight 12st 7lb , and thats eating well plenty of good food