The Performance Enhancing Effects of Creatine
The Performance Enhancing Effects of Creatine Everybody in youth has dreamt about that final deciding moment is sports whether it was the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded in game seven of the World Series, or if it was draining a three pointer at the buzzer of an NBA finals game, or even a game winning diving catch during the Superbowl. These moments are what athletes live for. This is what an athlete puts their blood sweat and tears into. They train like there is no tomorrow, working to become the best they can be. They study the game, practice, workout, and strive to reach their full potential. What if there was a way to increase ones performance by taking a pill? Ergogenic aids are “work producing” substances that athletes take to increase performance (Wilmore, Costill, & Kenney, 2008). While there may not be a magic pill that can transform a non-athlete into a superstar. However, there may be some ergogenic aids that can help an average athlete outcompete his opponent. This study will be looking into the effects of creatine on athletic ability. As a former college baseball player and current college coach, I want to find a supplement that can help an already athletic individual increase their athletic potential. If creatine is an effective substance, it would be beneficial for my baseball team to begin supplementing creatine into their diets. During my college baseball days, I took several pre-workout supplements and several post-workout supplements. I changed supplements due to flavor, recommendation, NCAA requirements, and personal preference. I never once took creatine because of some of the negative things I had heard about dehydration in connection to taking the supplement. Several of my teammates took it but not regularly. Everything I learned about creatine was through the rumor mill rather through scientific fact. Does creatine efficiently increase athletic performance and is it a worthwhile substance for baseball players to take?
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