The effect of supplementation on strenght and body composition in recreational athletes

Supplementation, as a modern approach to improving physical performance, has become an integral part of sports practice worldwide. Today, there are numerous nutritional supplements on the market that aim to increase muscle mass, reduce fatigue or optimize recovery. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of creatine on muscle strength and body composition parameters under specific training conditions. The research sample consisted of 19 recreational athletes divided into an experimental (n=12) and a control (n=7) group. The experimental group was supplemented with 5g of creatine monohydrate, while the control-placebo group received 5g of dextrose as a supplement. The experimental program was conducted for 8 weeks with a frequency of 4 training sessions per week. The effects of the experimental treatment on body composition (3 variables) and strength (3 tests) were monitored. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the experimental treatment has positive effects on the strength of the subjects, an increase in muscle mass, while there were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of fat and body water. Fitness programs are an effective tool for improving the body composition and strength of women. It would be desirable to determine the effects of training on some other motor parameters and partial body parts when it comes to body composition.