creatine ?

bethsdad · #1 (**permalink**) Fri Jan 14, 2005, 11:58pm

First off ...I know this is really not a rules question for you officials but I thought someone might know. I recently heard of a high school football coach telling a couple of players they should take creatine. I don't believe creatine is a steriod but it is supposed to help build muscle. Does antone know if there are rules against this. Thanks

ljudge · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Jan 15, 2005, 10:02am

It's not in the football rules book. That kind of question is one for your local state athletic association or school system.

Texas Aggie · #3 (**permalink**) Sun Jan 16, 2005, 01:19pm

Creatine is fine. As far as I know, there are no rules against its use.

It has been studied very hard for over a decade and there is nothing wrong. It isn't like ephedra or steroids.

Mark Dexter · #4 (**permalink**) Sun Jan 16, 2005, 11:40pm

Creatine is not a steroid, and I don't believe that it builds muscle, but, rather, allows for more use of the muscles (which, in turn, allows the muscles to become larger).

Sleeper · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Jan 17, 2005, 10:07am

It is a phosphate carrier. When ATP fires in the muscles it needs to replace the phosphate before it can fire again. Creatine carries the extra phosphate and stays in the muscle until it has done its job. It allows for longer, more intense workouts prior to muscle failure, which means you can get more work in in the same amount of time. It does nothing to increase the size of the muscles, just the length of the workout. It also causes water retention (I lost about 12 pounds when I quit using it). It works fine, although I would bet some of that is placebo.