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Carbohydrate Loading and Supplements

Creatine, caffeine and the misuse of supplements

  • 3 things to know
  • A2 Unit 3

Overview

Creatine and who benefits, its side effects and the endurance runner, caffeine and its side effects and status with WADA, use and misuse, contaminated supplements and Informed Sport, and creatine for a rugby player.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Numbers

What are the side effects of caffeine, and what is its status under WADA?

Key term

How does caffeine improve performance, and who uses it?

Key term

How does creatine supplementation improve performance?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How does creatine supplementation improve performance?

    Model answer

    Creatine raises the store of phosphocreatine in muscles. More phosphocreatine lets the ATP-PC system resynthesise ATP for longer in maximal efforts.

  2. 2

    Which performers benefit most from creatine?

    Model answer

    Power athletes in short, repeated maximal efforts benefit most. Sprinters, weightlifters and rugby players are examples.

  3. 3

    What are the side effects of creatine?

    Model answer

    Creatine causes water retention, so body mass increases. Muscle cramps and stomach upsets are also reported.

  4. 4

    Why might creatine harm an endurance runner?

    Model answer

    Creatine adds body mass through water retention. Extra mass must be carried over the whole race, and the ATP-PC system gives little benefit in endurance events.

  5. 5

    How does caffeine improve performance?

    Model answer

    Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing alertness and reducing the perception of effort. Caffeine may also increase the use of fat as a fuel, sparing glycogen.

  6. 6

    Which performers might use caffeine?

    Model answer

    Endurance performers use caffeine to delay fatigue. Games players take caffeine to sharpen concentration and reactions.

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