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Does creatine supplementation hinder exercise heat tolerance or hydration status? A systematic review with meta-analyses

Rebecca M Lopez, Douglas J Casa, Brendon P McDermott, Matthew S Ganio, Lawrence E Armstrong, Carl M Maresh

J Athl Train 2009 44(2):215-223

Bibliography

PubMed: PMID 19295968
PubMed Central: PMC2657025
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-44.2.215
Funding: No explicit funding statement was located in the accessible PubMed or publisher records during Biohack Blueprint's 2026-10-02 audit. This is an audit-status statement, not confirmation that the study received no funding.
Competing interests: No explicit competing-interests statement was located in the accessible PubMed or publisher records during Biohack Blueprint's 2026-10-02 audit. This is an audit-status statement, not confirmation that no competing interests existed.

Design	Systematic review with meta-analyses
Model	Human
Sample	10 controlled studies selected from 95 records
Intervention	Creatine supplementation versus control during rest or exercise in heat/hydration studies
Duration	Varied by included study
Endpoints	Hydration status; Body temperature; Thermoregulation; Exercise heat tolerance

Evidence synthesis addressing the common claim that creatine causes dehydration or impairs heat tolerance.

The review found no evidence that recommended creatine supplementation worsens fluid balance or the body's ability to dissipate heat during exercise.

The included studies were relatively small and reflect protocols available up to 2009; modern safety syntheses provide a broader evidence base.

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Last verified 02 October 2026