EFFECTS OF CREATINE AND BETA-ALANINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON STRENGTH, FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE, AND FALL RISK IN OLDER ADULTS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of creatine (CR) and beta-alanine (BA) supplementation on strength, functional performance, and fall risk in older adults. Twenty-four recreationally active older adults (mean age ± SD = 71.4 ± 5.7 years, height ± SD = 170.3 ± 6.1 cm, body mass ± SD = 74.7 ± 15.3 kg, BMI ± SD = 25.6 ± 4.2 kg · ) supplemented with either CR + BA or a placebo for twenty-eight consecutive days. The supplement group showed a significant increase in peak torque (PT) (p < 0.001), a significant reduction in fatigue index (FI) (p = 0.003), and an increase in handgrip strength (HGS) (p < 0.001) with improvements in 8-foot up-and-go (UG) time (p = 0.004) and 30-second sit-to-stand (STS) performance (p < 0.001), compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the supplement group showed significant increases in body mass (p < 0.001) and muscle mass percentage (p < 0.001), when compared to the placebo group, without significant changes in body fat (p = 0.437) or visceral fat (p = 0.228). In conclusion, these findings suggest that CR + BA supplementation may be an effective strategy to enhance strength, muscular endurance, and functional performance in older adults.