A chairde,

I'm currently conducting an undergraduate research project on the use of creatine in the GAA. I basically want to study the attitudes towards creatine within the GAA. From this forum I'd just like to get a feel for what opinions are out there. How do you feel about GAA players using creatine? Is it a positive part of a GAA player's diet? Or should it be banned by the GAA?

I'd be grateful for any responses or opinions shared. Míle buíochas.

AnCadhnach (Carlow) - Posts: 4 - 30/11/2011 18:02:02    1078058

I would be against it.Its a performance enhancing drug and id rather see it banned,but its so common that wont happen.
On a personal note I found the stuff useless.The only difference it made to me was it gave me regular headaches.

TheRoad (Galway) - Posts: 1339 - 30/11/2011 18:21:57    1078073

you took it but you think others should not be allowed.

How would the GAA even attempt to ban it?

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 30/11/2011 18:47:25    1078099

Most footballers at every level of the game now lift weights to build lean muscle mass and power. Creatine is research proven to boost high intensity muscle power and endurance - leading to enhanced muscle growth and strength potential. So if you're a footballer looking for to build a high power physique its an option however if using it id be carefull only use high quality creatine products and the time an effort is a must,this product is not just a quick fix

p.s. i for one also think it should be banned...........

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 30/11/2011 19:01:42    1078111

I dont think creatine, whey etc should be banned but regulation of its use needs to improve as at the moment it is so difficult as players are amatuer and unlike pros, where coaches have more of a control over what players use, the GAA lads can use a huge amount of stuff that is illegal and nothing may be picked up for a while

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 30/11/2011 19:16:09    1078122

Here in Lucan where men are men we would punch the head off any fairy cought using this unmanly rubbish!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 30/11/2011 19:29:26    1078134

Creatine is a naturally occuring substance made of 3 amino acids (arginine, glycine and methionine) which are naturally produced within the body and found in meat and fish.
You fools should know what exactly it is,you're discussing before you come out with your " ban it" nonsense.

DHaise (Cavan) - Posts: 65 - 30/11/2011 19:43:47    1078145

DHaise
County: Cavan
Posts: 53

1078145 Creatine is a naturally occuring substance made of 3 amino acids (arginine, glycine and methionine) which are naturally produced within the body and found in meat and fish.
You fools should know what exactly it is,you're discussing before you come out with your " ban it" nonsense.

GUESS WHO IS THE BIG FAN OF Wikipedia

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 30/11/2011 19:55:02    1078155

Yeah dHorse I took it but that was for weightlifting,a personal pastime of mine.If I were using it to gain an advantage over an opponent on the field of play I think it would be wrong,but sure if everyone else is doing it,why not do it yourself?

TheRoad (Galway) - Posts: 1339 - 30/11/2011 20:46:57    1078203

dHaise,while cretaine may be a naturally occuring substance, those shakes are NOT naturally occuring substances in the human body.If they were they would not be selling at such a high rate.Use your head.

TheRoad (Galway) - Posts: 1339 - 30/11/2011 20:50:15    1078205

Thanks for all the replies. It's that disagreement that I'm interested in. Creatine seems to really divide opinion. I'd be grateful for any further contributions.

AnCadhnach (Carlow) - Posts: 4 - 30/11/2011 21:12:02    1078227

TheRoad
County: Galway
Posts: 274

but sure if everyone else is doing it,why not do it yourself?

love the attitude. But just because "EVERYONE ELSE" (a loose assumption) is doing it is hardly a compelling reason to do anything though.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 30/11/2011 21:17:10    1078233

Also, those of you who believe creatine should be banned - what reasons do you have for that? Do you believe they provide an unfair advantage to players? Or would you be more concerned about player welfare and the possible side effects of creatine?

AnCadhnach (Carlow) - Posts: 4 - 30/11/2011 21:29:11    1078244

In 1998 Tottenham defender John Scales spoke out about creatine and the effects it had on his body especially his liver. He critised Glenn Hoddle who as England manager was having this crap injected into players bodies. This caused a fair bit of controversy as players who objected where effectively frozen out.The bottom line is these food engineers thought feeding Cows ground down bones was a great idea too. Sad to see all those juveniles getting off the Dart at Booterstown with their rugby kit bags and massive tubs of Whey and all looking like over-weight men and still not yet 14.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4957 - 30/11/2011 21:31:01    1078247

The Irish attitude towards Creatine, even Protein etc is shocking, there is so much of a myth culture it's unreal. I once told a guy in gym who asked what was in a shake I was filling up in the water dispenser that it had Whey/Oats and creatine, he looked at me like I was Tony Montana's cousin. In my opinion the 'average' Irish view of Creatine, and most other food/sport supplements is so wide of the mark - I remember once reading a post about the International rules series on this forum, and one guy said something like 'We should send over 30 creatined up thugs and that would teach the Aussies' - Says it all really.

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 30/11/2011 21:48:44    1078269

Lads, ye should do a bit of research on creatine before some of the nonsense on here. And read peer reviewed scientific journals, not men's health. And don't be mixing up whey protein with creatine. There are hundreds of published studies on the benefits of creatine and some on the negative effects. No man should take any supplement without researching it first.

Con (Louth) - Posts: 511 - 30/11/2011 21:54:26    1078276

Never used creatine, i see it as the step into illegality for the sport i play. (I actually thought it was banned by the GAA - the fact it isnt will not alter my decision not to use it though.)

I do use protein shakes if i cant get a good meal after a weights session.

Perhaps its hypocritical of me to use one but not the other, but in my mind creatine is a product not to be touched.

bosch (Derry) - Posts: 873 - 01/12/2011 08:25:31    1078288

While creatine may occur naturally in the body, you're taking un-natural amounts of it in my opinion with these supplements. I mean adrenaline occurs naturally, doesn't mean we all go around shooting up on that every now and again.
My worry would be that if the use of this would become generally accepted and widespread, where might the use of supplements stop? I know of other pre-workout supplements that come with a black box warning on the label, showing how they can be bad for the health...would it be a natural progression to take these after using creatine for a while?

dunbainneman (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 01/12/2011 08:54:12    1078297

With creatine already being produced naturally in the body already cant see a good argument to say too ban it.Ive used it be for myself and for me ive had no ill effects.I feel if its taken in correctly should be up to individual wether they want to take it or not for me i dont think it gives you any advantage....

DUB1 (Dublin) - Posts: 5583 - 01/12/2011 09:23:33    1078306

DUB1
County: Dublin
Posts: 1312

I feel if its taken in correctly should be up to individual wether they want to take it or not for me i dont think it gives you any advantage....

Why take it if it doesnt present any advantage? Surely that is the reason or taking it?

bosch (Derry) - Posts: 873 - 01/12/2011 09:53:07    1078319