Creatine before the session? Early signs say maybe.
A small pilot trial suggests that taking creatine just before a resistance-training session may support slightly greater same-day strength than taking it during or after, though this is early, exploratory evidence rather than a firm recommendation.
What they did
Eleven physically active men took creatine immediately before, during or after a resistance session in a randomised crossover design, with same-day strength measured under each condition.
What they found
Taking it just before training supported slightly greater same-day strength than taking it during or after — an early, exploratory signal, which is exactly what the authors call it.
What it actually shows
A pilot crossover trial in just 11 active men, measuring single-session strength; the authors call it exploratory and say it needs confirming in larger, placebo-controlled studies.
Pilot RCT (crossover) · n=11 · physically active men · Nutrients
Where it fits
Total daily creatine, not timing, remains the well-evidenced lever. Nothing here changes the standard advice; it is a thread for bigger trials to pull on.
The source
DOI: 10.3390/nu18111789
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