Effects of Creatine & Beetroot Juice Co-Supplementation on Body Composition and Maximal Strength in Collegiate Volleyball Players: A randomized double-blind controlled experiment

Objective: Research into the combined use of creatine (CR) and beetroot juice (BJ) has received more attention in recent years. Preliminary evidence confirms that this combination is safe and enhances performance. However, its practical significance for improving volleyball performance remains unclear. This study will evaluate the effects of a 6-week regimen combining CR-BJ supplementation on body composition and maximum strength in college volleyball athletes.
Methods: Twenty-nine athletes were randomly assigned to CR-BJ (n=8), CR (n=7), BJ (n=8), or control (n=6). All groups completed a 6-week resistance training program with respective supplementation. Body mass (BM) and body fat (BF) were assessed via bioelectrical impedance before and after the intervention, while Upper and lower body maximal strength were measured using one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and squat.
Results: BM exhibited a significant main effect of time (p=0.029). However, no significant differences in BM were observed across groups compared to baseline. No statistically significant changes were observed in BF. BP1RM (p<0.001) and S1RM (p<0.001) were showed significant main effects of time. When compared to the baseline, the CR-BJ group showed notable rises in both BP1RM (p<0.001, ES=0.633) and S1RM (p<0.001, ES=0.800). In contrast, the CR group (p=0.009, ES=0.576), BJ group (p<0.001, ES=0.784), and control group (p<0.001, ES=0.768) all showed significant improvements in S1RM, but no statistically significant differences were found in BP1RM.
Conclusion: A 6-week CR-BJ supplementation regimen comprehensively enhances upper and lower body maximum strength levels in college volleyball athletes without increasing body weight or body fat.