Creatine or placebo to test effects on cognition, muscle strength, and body composition in middle-aged women
Official title: The Effects of Dietary Supplements on Health and Wellbeing in Middle Aged Women
Run by Loughborough University · NCT07729930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether taking creatine daily for 8 weeks improves thinking, strength, fatigue, and body composition in healthy middle-aged women compared to a placebo.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 35 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 38 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Loughborough University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Loughborough) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | November 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | November 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 28, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07729930 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 35–65 who are healthy, non-smokers, with BMI 18–30, and who are either recreationally active or sedentary but otherwise eligible.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with current musculoskeletal or chronic conditions, recent hormone therapy, or known supplement allergies may not benefit and are excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Healthy women aged 35–65 will be randomized to receive creatine monohydrate or a placebo for 8 weeks. The study assesses cognitive tests, questionnaires on sleep and quality of life, physical measures (height, body composition, blood pressure, and grip strength), and blood markers of inflammation and fatty acids, with visits before, during, and after supplementation. Data will be analyzed using linear mixed models and t-tests to explore changes from baseline. The trial is led by Loughborough University and will occur at their campus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, creatine supplementation could support better fatigue, sleep, and body composition in middle-aged women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in similar populations has shown potential benefits of creatine on muscle function and cognition, but results are mixed and this study adds targeted health outcomes in middle-aged women.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female * Aged 35-65 years old * Healthy, free from known disease * Non-smoker * BMI 18-30 kg/m2 * Classified as recreationally active (meet the WHO guidelines for physical activity: complete at least 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week, plus muscle strengthening activities 2 or more days a week) OR sedentary (do not meet the minimum activity guidelines but do occasional and/or incidental physical activity, e.g., walking to work, household activities). Exclusion Criteria: * Currently have a musculoskeletal injury or diagnosed condition (CVD, osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome, uncontrolled hypertension, gastrointestinal disease, blood clotting disorder) * Regularly taking prescription medication initiated in the last 3 months or unstable * Have initiated hormone replacement therapy within the last 3 months or unstable * Have an allergy to ingredients in the supplements or standardised breakfast * Pregnant or breastfeeding, or any other contradictions to consuming the study supplements * Lost more than 10% of body mass in the past 6 months or plan on trying to lose body mass during trial period * Currently consuming the supplements being investigated and unwilling to stop * Any known cognitive or visual impairments limiting ability to perform cognitive tests * Unwilling to maintain current diet and physical activity levels and report any change in health status
Where it's running
-
Loughborough University
Loughborough, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dr Tom Clifford
- Email: t.clifford@lboro.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0) 1509228181
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Collagen and omega-3 supplements in middle-aged women
This study tests whether taking collagen and omega-3s together improves joint pain, fatigue, sleep, and overall wellbeing in healthy women aged 35–65 compared with a placebo over 8 weeks.
-
L‑serine supplements with or without strength training for older adults
This trial tries daily L‑serine supplements, alone or combined with supervised strength training, to see if they improve thinking, brain health, and physical fitness in healthy 65–85‑year‑olds.
-
Wild blueberry powder for joint and gut health
This trial will test whether taking 25 g of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder daily for 12 weeks changes gut bacteria, lowers inflammation markers, and improves joint pain in adults with multi-joint or knee arthritis.
-
Predicting Heart Muscle Recovery After CTO Revascularization
This study looks at whether blood tests and stress echo measurements can predict which patients with CTO will regain heart muscle function after a revascularization procedure.
-
Can the Ronnie Gardiner Method improve thinking and daily function in people with Parkinson’s
In this 10-week program, adults with Parkinson’s disease will try the Ronnie Gardiner Method to see if it helps thinking, talking, movement, balance, and quality of life.
-
Cooling During Inpatient Rehab for People with MS
This trial tests whether wearing a cooling vest during intensive training can reduce fatigue and improve walking, strength, balance, and cognition in people with multiple sclerosis during a 3-week inpatient rehab stay.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.