The Impact Of Creatine Supplementation And Resistance Training On Body Composition And Physical Function In Men With Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy

PURPOSE: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a foundational therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), that is accompanied by several deleterious side effects including reductions in muscle mass, bone mineral density and muscle strength, in addition to increases in fat mass. Creatine has been demonstrated to improve muscle mass and strength in older adults and other clinical populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of creatine supplementation with resistance training on body composition, muscle strength and physical function outcomes relative to resistance training alone in men with PCa receiving ADT. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blinded controlled trial examining the effects of creatine supplementation with resistance training (RT) compared to RT and placebo control (glucose). Men were randomized to either RT + creatine (SUPP) or RT + placebo (PLA), with both groups participating in 12-weeks, 3 days per week of supervised resistance training. Outcomes included fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), per cent body fat (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscle strength, and physical function assessed at baseline and immediately following the intervention. For each outcome, group (Condition: SUPP, PLA) x time (baseline, follow-up) repeated measures analysis of variance or analysis of covariance, where appropriate, were performed. RESULTS: A total of 30 men with PCa were randomized to either SUPP (n = 15) or PLA (n = 15). There was a significant time effect for FFM (p < 0.001) but no group x time interaction (p = 0.602). Similarly, there were significant improvements in FM (p = 0.034) and muscle strength (chest press, leg press, seated row; p < 0.001), with no group x time interactions. There were no significant time or group effects for the timed up and go test (p = 0.125) and chair rise (p = 0.567), however, there was a significant time effect for the 400-meter walk (p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training results in meaningful improvements in fat free mass, muscle strength and 400-meter walk, with no additive effects of creatine supplementation. Our study supports the safety and feasibility of creatine supplementation in addition to resistance training in men with PCa, with no adverse events reported and high compliance to the supplement intervention.