Effectiveness of a soccer injury prevention program based on creatine supplementation and internal load monitoring: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Injury incidence was lower in the creatine group than the placebo group, though the difference did not reach statistical significance.

• Injury incidence was 8.3% in the creatine group versus 36.4% in the placebo group.
• Relative risk (RR) = 0.23, 95% CI 0.03–1.75; p = 0.155.
• The study was a 14-week randomized controlled pilot trial with 23 amateur soccer players (creatine n = 12, placebo n = 11).
• The non-significant result may reflect insufficient statistical power given the pilot study sample size.

Players in the creatine group missed fewer training sessions compared to the placebo group, though this difference was not statistically significant.

• Mean missed training sessions: creatine group 0.25 ± 0.87 vs. placebo group 0.82 ± 1.40.
• p = 0.135.
• Training availability was a primary outcome of the study.

Creatine supplementation produced significant time × group interaction effects favoring the creatine group for multiple isometric strength measures.

• Significant time × group effects were observed for knee extension, knee flexion, hip extension, and right hip flexion (all p < 0.01).
• Assessments were performed at baseline (January 2025) and post-intervention (April 2025).
• Participants received 3 g/day of creatine or maltodextrin placebo for 14 weeks.

Countermovement jump (CMJ) height showed a significant time × group effect favoring the creatine group.

• The time × group interaction for CMJ height was statistically significant (p < 0.01).
• CMJ performance was a secondary outcome alongside isometric strength, perceived pain, well-being, and internal load.
• Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention over the 14-week intervention period.

The study was designed as a pilot randomized controlled trial investigating creatine supplementation for musculoskeletal injury prevention in amateur soccer players.

• Twenty-four players were randomized (12 creatine, 11 placebo; one participant accounted for the discrepancy between randomized and analyzed numbers).
• The creatine dose was 3 g/day and the comparator was maltodextrin.
• The intervention lasted 14 weeks, with baseline assessments in January 2025 and post-intervention assessments in April 2025.
• Primary outcomes were injury incidence and training availability; secondary outcomes included isometric strength, CMJ performance, perceived pain, well-being, and internal load.

Musculoskeletal injuries in soccer occur more often in matches than in training sessions and mainly affect the lower limbs.

• This epidemiological context was cited as rationale for the study.
• Evidence regarding creatine's role in injury prevention among soccer players was described as limited at the time of the study.
• Creatine supplementation is commonly used to enhance performance in soccer.