Creatine for thinking and kidney stress after exercising in the heat
Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Measures and Markers of Acute Kidney Injury After Exercise in the Heat
We will test if one week of creatine supplements helps protect kidney markers and preserve thinking skills in healthy, active adults after exercising in hot conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Northern Iowa Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | cart |
| Locations | 1 site (Cedar Falls, Iowa) |
| Trial ID | NCT07472426 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy adults aged 18–45 who are regularly active will complete a baseline visit with VO2max and cognitive testing, then take either creatine monohydrate (20 g/day) or a placebo for one week. After supplementation participants will complete two experimental exercise trials in the heat while researchers collect urine markers of inflammation and acute kidney injury and repeat cognitive assessments. Cognitive testing includes the NIH Toolbox Fluid Cognition Battery and the Color Word Stroop Test, and exercise is performed on a cycle ergometer with workloads scaled to body weight. The design compares creatine to maltodextrin placebo to see if short-term creatine changes urinary cytokines, AKI markers, or attenuates heat- and fatigue-related cognitive decline.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy, active adults 18–45 years old with at least 'good' aerobic fitness per ACSM who can tolerate cycling for about 90 minutes and have not used creatine in the past four weeks.
Not a fit: People with known kidney, cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurologic conditions, a history of serious heat-related events, older adults outside the age range, or current creatine users are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple short-term supplement approach to reduce inflammation and kidney stress and help maintain thinking skills after exercising in hot conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Creatine has prior human evidence for supporting muscle function and some cognitive outcomes, but using a one-week creatine regimen to reduce exercise-induced acute kidney injury in heat is relatively novel with limited human data.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age range: 18-45 years old * Physical Activity Level: Classified as 'active' using the criteria of engaging in planned exercise at least 3x/week, for a minimum of 30 minutes per session, over the past 3 months * Aerobic Fitness Level: Subjects must have an aerobic fitness classification of at least 'good' per American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) criteria and assessed via maximal oxygen uptake test * Health Status: Free of any known cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, or neurologic conditions. * Physical Limitations: Indicates no physical limitations to cycling for \~ 90 minutes * Supplementation: Reports no use of creatine within the past 4 weeks * Recent Illness: Reports no presence of illness, vomiting, or diarrhea in the previous three days. Exclusion Criteria: * Known allergy to creatine or maltodextrin. * History of adverse heat-related events (e.g., heat exhaustion, heat stroke, severe dehydration requiring medical intervention) * Reports use of medications or supplements that may interfere with thermoregulation, heart rate, kidney injury or blood pressure responses during exercise (e.g. NSAID)
Where this trial is running
Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Wellness and Recreation Center — Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Assistant Professor, PhD
- Email: jonathan.specht@uni.edu
- Phone: 5635137807
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.