2026-04-29T20:44:38Zhttps://riubu.ubu.es/oai/request

oai:riubu.ubu.es:10259/112112026-02-05T08:20:00Zcom_10259_11209com_10259_5086com_10259_2604col_10259_11210

Combined creatine and HMB co-supplementation improves functional strength independent of muscle mass in physically active older adults: a randomized crossover trial Ramos-Hernández, Rafael Miguel Ortega, Alvaro Martínez Ferrán, María Fernández-Lázaro, Diego Busto Vázquez, Natalia Mielgo Ayuso, Juan Creatine monohydrate β-Hydroxy-βmethylbutyrate Functional strength Sarcopenia Older adults Multicomponent exercise Muscle quality Neuromuscular adaptations Healthy aging Body composition Fisiología del ejercicio Suplementos nutricionales Exercise-Physiological aspects Dietary supplements Sarcopenia is a major contributor to frailty and functional decline among older adults. Combining exercise with nutritional strategies such as creatine monohydrate (CRE) and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation may help to preserve strength and independence. To evaluate the effects of 6-week CRE + HMB supplementation combined with an integral physical conditioning (IPC) program on functional strength and body composition in physically active older adults. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 30 older adults (20 men, 10 women; ≥ 60 years) completed two 6-week intervention periods (CRE + HMB or placebo) separated by a 3-week washout. The IPC program performed in both conditions consisted of four supervised weekly sessions combining strength, power, multicomponent circuits, high-intensity interval and moderate intensity continuous training), performed at 40–100% training heart rate (THR) and 20–90% one-repetition maximum (1RM) and structured as warm-up, main part and cooldown. Functional strength and body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis) were assessed pre- and post-intervention, respectively. Significant time × group interactions were observed for fat mass, fat-free mass, total muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, muscle mass index, skeletal muscle index and ALM/BMI (all p < 0.05). The CRE + HMB group showed reductions in fat mass and body fat percentage, with slight numerical increases in muscle parameters, whereas the placebo group exhibited opposite trends. However, within-group changes were not statistically significant. In contrast, CRE + HMB significantly improved multiple functional strength outcomes, including leg/back strength, arm flexion strength, upper-body endurance (dumbbell flexion, push-ups, isometric hold) and core endurance (crunches). Regression analyses suggested that these improvements were largely independent of changes in muscle mass, supporting a potential neuromuscular mechanism. Six weeks of CRE + HMB supplementation combined with IPC enhanced functional strength and endurance in active older adults, largely independent of changes in muscle mass. This combined approach represents a promising strategy for preserving functional capacity and promoting healthy ageing. Open access funding provided by FEDER European Funds and the Junta de Castilla y León under the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3) of Castilla y León 2021-2027. This research did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or notfor-profit sectors. 2026-01-13T12:57:16Z 2026-01-13T12:57:16Z 2025-10 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion 2509-2715 https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11211 10.1007/s11357-025-01889-y 2509-2723 eng GeroScience. 2025 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01889-y Atribución 4.0 Internacional http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess application/pdf Springer