Creatine supplementation and resistance training: a comparison between novice and experienced lifters - a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Q: What was the main aim of this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis?

To evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation combined with resistance training on body composition, with a focus on differences between trained (experienced) and untrained (novice) individuals.

Q: Which body composition outcomes were analyzed in the controlled trials?

Body mass, body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage (BFP) were examined using random-effects meta-analysis.

Q: Did creatine supplementation improve body composition compared with placebo?

Yes. Pooled results from 61 trials showed significant increases in FFM and body mass with creatine, while FM, BMI, and BFP were not significantly affected overall.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Chumphorn

Background: Creatine (Cr) supplementation is established for increasing fat-free mass (FFM) when paired with resistance training (RT), yet the effect of prior training experience is unclear. Objective: This systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis synthesized controlled trials to evaluate how Cr plus RT affects body composition, emphasizing differences between experienced (trained) and inexperienced (novice) lifters. Methods: Trials published up to March 2025 were searched, and outcomes included body mass, BMI, FFM, fat mass, and body fat percentage.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF SPORTS NUTRITION 2025, VOL. 22, NO. S1, 2586523 [https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2586523](https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2586523) REVIEW ARTICLE Creatine supplementation and resistance training: a comparison between novice and experienced lifters-a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis Damoon Ashtary-Larkya , Shooka Mohammadib, Leila Hajizadehc, Seyed Amir Hossein Mousavid, Scott C. Forbese , Darren G. Candowf and Jose Antoniog aNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; bDepartment of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; cDepartment of Sport Physiology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran; dStudent Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; eDepartment of Physical Education Studies, Faculty of Education, Brandon University, Brandon, MB, Canada; fFaculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada; gDepartment of Health and Human Performance, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA ABSTRACT Background: Creatine (Cr) supplementation is well established for enhancing fat-free mass (FFM) when combined with resistance training (RT) . However, the influence of prior training experience on supplementation efficacy remains unknown. Objective: This systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of controlled trials evaluated the effects of Cr supplementation combined with RT on body composition, with particular emphasis on the differences between trained (experienced) and untrained (novice) individuals. Methods: A systematic search of major databases was conducted to identify controlled trials published until March 2025. The effects of Cr supplementation on body mass, body mass index (BMI), FFM, fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage (BFP) were examined using random-effects meta-analysis. Results: A pooled analysis of 61 trials revealed that Cr supplementation significantly increased FFM (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 1.39 kg; 95% confidence intereval (CI): 1.07,1.70; p < 0.001) and body mass (WMD: 0.89 kg; 95% CI: 0.76,1.01; p < 0.001) without significant effects on FM, BMI, and BFP. Trained individuals exhibited greater, though non-significant, gains in FFM (1.82 vs. 1.23 kg) compared with untrained participants, despite similar increases in total body mass. Dose–response analyses identified significant relationships between Cr dose and changes in body mass and BMI. Furthermore, supplementation duration was associated with changes in BFP and body mass. Conclusion: Both novice and experienced lifters gained FFM with Cr supplementation compared to placebo. The increase in FFM was approximately 0.6 kg (≈50%) greater inexperienced participants; however, this between-group difference was not statistically significant. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 18 April 2025 Accepted 3 November 2025 KEYWORDS Creatine; body composition; fat-free mass; muscle hypertrophy; resistance training 1. Introduction Creatine (Cr) is among the most extensively investigated and effective ergogenic aids [1] . In contrast to several other ergogenic aids [2–4], Cr supplementation has been demonstrated to improve body composition [5] . When combined with resistance training (RT), Cr supplementation consistently results in significantly greater increases in fat-free mass (FFM) compared to training alone [6–8] . Meta-analyses have quantified these benefits, indicating that individuals who supplement with Cr during a structured training program gain, on average, 1–2 kg more lean tissue than those receiving a placebo [5,7] . Further, some CONTACT Damoon Ashtary-Larky [damoon_ashtary@yahoo.com](damoon_ashtary@yahoo.com) Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Jose Ant

FAQs

What was the main aim of this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis?

To evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation combined with resistance training on body composition, with a focus on differences between trained (experienced) and untrained (novice) individuals.

Which body composition outcomes were analyzed in the controlled trials?

Body mass, body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage (BFP) were examined using random-effects meta-analysis.

Did creatine supplementation improve body composition compared with placebo?

Yes. Pooled results from 61 trials showed significant increases in FFM and body mass with creatine, while FM, BMI, and BFP were not significantly affected overall.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Chumphorn