EFFECTS OF CREATINE AND GLUTAMINE SUPPLEMENTS IN COMPARISON WITH PROPER NUTRITION ON WRESTLERS

AimIn this study, we investigated the effects of glutamine and creatine supplements and proper nutrition on hand grip strength and agility of athletes.Materials and MethodsThe samples for this study included 28 elite wrestlers of Mazandaran province, Iran aged 18 to 25 years old. They were randomly divided into four groups. Proper nutrition with carbohydrate solution made of 5% honey instead of water, creatine supplement group (0.3 g/Kg/ for 15 days), glutamine group (0.3 g/kg for 15 days), control group. After a usual warm-up exercises for 15 minutes, for the agility test, 9x4 agility test was performed and following a 10-min rest period, subjects used hand grip for the grip strength test; after 15 days of glutamine and creatine supplements and proper nutrition consumptions, the physical performance tests were conducted in the same condition. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.ResultsStatistical analysis of the grip strength and agility in post test showed significant difference between the proper nutrition, in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Therefore, it seems that through proper nutrition (which provides all necessary substances for an elite athlete) there is no need for these supplementation agents and the proper nutrition can be used as an alternative for these supplements.ConclusionThe group which received the proper nutrition showed more increase in speed and power performance compared to the creatine and glutamine groups. It seems that if elite athletes consume proper nutrition and especially get benefit from honey, there is no further need to use supplements. Finally, from the findings of the present study it can be concluded that the proper nutrition can be used as a competent alternative for the common supplements such a creatine and glutamine.