The effects of protein and carbohydrate supplementation, with and without creatine, on occupational performance in firefighters
Location
E4110
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
30-11-2023 1:05 PM
End Date
30-11-2023 1:45 PM
Description
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of protein and carbohydrate supplementation, with and without creatine, on occupational performance in firefighters. Methods: Using a randomized, double-blind approach, thirty male firefighters (age: 34.4 ± 8.4 yrs., height: 1.82 ± 0.07 m; weight: 88.6 ± 12.5 kg; BF%: 17.2 ± 5.8 %) were randomized to receive either A.) 25 g of whey protein isolate + 25 g of carbohydrate powder (ProCarb group); B.) ProCarb + 5 g of creatine (Creatine group) in a double-blind fashion over a period of 21-26 days (depending on shift rotations) to evaluate the impact of supplementation on occupation-specific performance. At baseline and following supplementation, firefighters completed a battery of tests. These tests included an aerobic speed test on an air-braked cycle ergometer followed by the hose carry, body drag, stair climb, and Keiser sled hammer for time. Results: No significant differences in measures of performance were observed at baseline (p > 0.05). There was a significant main effect for time observed for rescue, stair climb, total time to completion, and time trial performance (p < 0.05). There was a significant group x time (p < 0.05) interaction for rescue and forcible entry. Independent-sample t-tests indicated that the Creatine group experienced a greater reduction (from baseline) in completion for the rescue (1.78 ± 0.57 sec, 95% CI: 0.61, 2.95 sec, p = 0.004) and forcible entry (2.66 ± 0.97 sec, 95% CI: 0.68, 4.65 sec, p = 0.01) tests compared to the ProCarb group. No significant group x time interactions were observed for hose line advance, stair climb, total time to completion, and time trial performance (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The addition of supplemental creatine to a protein and carbohydrate supplement to the diet of career firefighters throughout a three-week period improves occupational performance in firefighters in specific areas of high-intensity, repetitive actions.
Recommended Citation
Elstad, Kaia; Malone, Conley; Luedke, Joel; Jaime, Salvador J.; Dobbs, Ward C.; Almonroeder, Thomas; Kerksick, Chad M.; Markert, Adam; and Jagim, Andrew R., "The effects of protein and carbohydrate supplementation, with and without creatine, on occupational performance in firefighters" (2023). DMU Research Symposium. 37.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/researchsymposium/2023rs/2023abstracts/37
The effects of protein and carbohydrate supplementation, with and without creatine, on occupational performance in firefighters
E4110
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of protein and carbohydrate supplementation, with and without creatine, on occupational performance in firefighters. Methods: Using a randomized, double-blind approach, thirty male firefighters (age: 34.4 ± 8.4 yrs., height: 1.82 ± 0.07 m; weight: 88.6 ± 12.5 kg; BF%: 17.2 ± 5.8 %) were randomized to receive either A.) 25 g of whey protein isolate + 25 g of carbohydrate powder (ProCarb group); B.) ProCarb + 5 g of creatine (Creatine group) in a double-blind fashion over a period of 21-26 days (depending on shift rotations) to evaluate the impact of supplementation on occupation-specific performance. At baseline and following supplementation, firefighters completed a battery of tests. These tests included an aerobic speed test on an air-braked cycle ergometer followed by the hose carry, body drag, stair climb, and Keiser sled hammer for time. Results: No significant differences in measures of performance were observed at baseline (p > 0.05). There was a significant main effect for time observed for rescue, stair climb, total time to completion, and time trial performance (p < 0.05). There was a significant group x time (p < 0.05) interaction for rescue and forcible entry. Independent-sample t-tests indicated that the Creatine group experienced a greater reduction (from baseline) in completion for the rescue (1.78 ± 0.57 sec, 95% CI: 0.61, 2.95 sec, p = 0.004) and forcible entry (2.66 ± 0.97 sec, 95% CI: 0.68, 4.65 sec, p = 0.01) tests compared to the ProCarb group. No significant group x time interactions were observed for hose line advance, stair climb, total time to completion, and time trial performance (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The addition of supplemental creatine to a protein and carbohydrate supplement to the diet of career firefighters throughout a three-week period improves occupational performance in firefighters in specific areas of high-intensity, repetitive actions.
