What is creatine monohydrate studying for exercise in the heat?

Creatine monohydrate is being studied to see if it changes inflammation, reduces risk markers for acute kidney injury, and improves cognitive performance after exercise in hot conditions. Researchers want to understand how creatine affects the body's response to heat stress during exercise. This trial is sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa.

Who may be eligible for this acute kidney injury and exertional heat illness clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 to 45 who are physically active and have good aerobic fitness may be eligible. Participants should be healthy with no known cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, or neurologic conditions and able to cycle for about 90 minutes. Both men and women can participate. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this acute kidney injury clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the study supplements and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal travel expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for their travel costs.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years - 45Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID07472426

Study of Creatine Supplement Effects on Kidney Health and Thinking Skills After Exercise in Hot Conditions

Led by University of Northern Iowa · Updated on 2026-03-16

Participants Needed

Research Sites

8 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether one week of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects inflammation, markers of acute kidney injury AKI risk, and cognitive performance in active, young, healthy adults. The study aims to find out if creatine changes urinary inflammation markers during exercise in heat, alters AKI risk markers, and lessens cognitive decline caused by fatigue from exertional heat stress compared to a placebo. This research involves a randomized, double-blind design comparing creatine to maltodextrin placebo. Participants will complete three visits a baseline visit and two exercise trials. At baseline, they undergo physical measurements, cognitive tests, and a maximal aerobic exercise test to determine cycling workload. For each exercise trial, participants will take 20 grams per day of creatine or placebo for seven days, plus 5 grams on the day of exercise. Exercise involves 90 minutes of cycling in a heated chamber at controlled temperature and humidity, alternating between low and high intensity. Urine and blood samples, core temperature via rectal thermistor, heart rate, and cognitive tests are collected before, during, and after exercise. Participants will self-collect urine samples before, immediately after, and one hour after exercise. They will also self-insert a rectal thermistor to measure core temperature and complete cognitive tasks using the NIH Toolbox before and after exercise. Various questionnaires assess mood, fatigue, thermal comfort, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Researchers will monitor hydration, body composition, blood pressure, and metabolic rate throughout the study. After a 21-day washout, participants complete the alternate supplementation trial. The primary outcome is the change in urinary biomarkers indicating AKI risk from before to after exercise in heat. Total participation spans several weeks including baseline and two exercise visits.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Measures and Markers of Acute Kidney Injury After Exercise in the Heat

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 45Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Age between 18 and 45 years old
Physically active, exercising at least three times per week for 30 minutes each session over the past three months
Aerobic fitness classified as at least 'good' according to American College of Sports Medicine criteria and confirmed by a maximal oxygen uptake test
Healthy with no known cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, or neurological conditions
No physical limitations preventing cycling for about 90 minutes
No creatine use within the past four weeks
No illness, vomiting, or diarrhea in the past three days

You will not qualify if you...

Known allergy to creatine or maltodextrin
History of severe heat-related events such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or dehydration requiring medical help
Use of medications or supplements that affect body temperature regulation, heart rate, kidney injury, or blood pressure responses during exercise (e.g., NSAIDs)

Research Team

Assistant Professor, PhD

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Study of Creatine Supplement Effects on Kidney Health and Thinking Skills After Exercise in Hot Conditions

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Brief Title

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Research Team

Not the Right Trial for You?

On this page

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria