Creatine for Teenage Swimmers?

[Dad2LF]

Interested to know what people’s views are on teenage swimmers using creatine as every reputable research that I have come across advices to be used from 18 YO, but clearly it is being given to and consumed by 14 YO.

A parent at regionals once told me that at the top of elite teenage Swimming I.e. Nationals and above, there are 2 types of swimmers.

Those that use PED’s (Legal / Illegal) and those that lie about not using it.

My 15 YO has been asking for creatine since he turned 14 because his competitors openly talked about using it and used it in front of him and others at competitions!

Make of this what you will, but we all have different moral compasses and some are more than happy to do whatever it takes to be at the top of rankings..

Creatine isn't a PED, can't comment on the safety of a child taking it however.

My understanding is the evidence for using it is weak. I've looked in to a little bit for myself.
Would getting your swimmer actually research it. Not just the sales stuff but academic papers help?

The other option is finding a qualified sports dietitian. To make a food plan for your son. From most of my reading even highly competitive teen swimmers can get what they need from food rather than supplements. Although the occasional use of sports drink can be helpful.

Also what about talking to the coach? They should be be aware of their swimmers are taking supplements and encouraging others to do so. While it's not performance enhancing drugs it is not a club culture I'd be happy with my swimmers being involved in.

@Assssofspades Thank you for your comment, and just to note that I don’t class Creatine as an illegal substance as it is not prohibited for use by the various sports governing body.

But we can agree that creatine is a Performance Enhancer “Legal PED” based on the numerous scientific studies that shows it improves athletic performance I.e. Increase energy production, Increase muscle strength, Enhance muscle recovery etc.

So there will be a difference in performance between those athletes who take creatine and those that don’t.

@DrJump Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I feel the academic research is actually plentiful and quite overwhelming for elite athletes and the adult population, but not much is known for teenagers who are growing up in a world of social media & influencers.

Re: Advice from dietician and health professionals, I have also looked into this and they all refer you back to the widely available information that is online i.e. Not needed at this age and you can get the required nutrition from food.

Would be ideal if we all followed that advice so we wont have to keep explaining to our swimmers why they can’t take creatine like others.

Re: Getting your nutrients from food & diet which I am an avid believer of.
At some point even a medical professional would advise after careful diagnoses that supplementation is needed, the difference with teenage athletes is, there is very little if any medical consultation as these products are widely and readily accessible to all.

Re: Conversations with coaches, I feel most coaches would prefer to stay away from any such discussions at the age group level and let the parents decide for their swimmers.
From my experience thus far, coaches always attribute a swimmers dramatic improvement in performance to the swimmers increased pool time traning and of course their coaching.

Im a long-time swim parent and been a club welfare officer for years.
I doubt it helps much with teen boys as there are so many variables. Puberty, height, muscle development and quality training (aka not just ploughing up and down the pool for hours each week) will make the most difference. And they all develop at different rates, so it can be hard to compare. Skinny little 15 yos can turn into massive and very fast 17yos.
If your DC is having difficulty getting enough calories into him to support his training level, a few milkshakes post training are not going to do any harm, but a few sessions with a preformace dietician would probably be more useful long term.

@turkeyboots Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic.
It is very useful and helpful to have input from someone with your swimming background and connection.

You make many valid points on variables which I agree with, I.e. puberty, growth, quality training etc and how this influences results as they get older.

In terms of diet, my son has always been very good at self regulating with a healthy & balanced diet so this was never an area of concern.

It’s just the constant C word that’s keeps popping up during major galas that derails his focus and motivation at an age where the % drop out is very high.

Really appreciate your insight.

We’ve never been asked for it, we do buy/make food that he needs for competing at high levels and he has actually taken notice of the Swim England nutritionists that he has access to. Food intake varies according to his needs - we recognise the growth spurts as the appetite increases and the contents of our cupboards rapidly decrease.

Keep the focus on technique at his age, it really will pay off. But he wont care, so research a few psychological motivation tricks too, it's a tricky age where peer pressure is very powerful.

Us swim parents hang out here if you want to join the conversation.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/5178828-poolside-chat-continues-here?page=7&reply=143939020

@Glittertwins Thank you for sharing your experience.
We have also only focused on pushing the “get what you need from your diet approach”.

Hopefully our son sees the benefit and continues to buy into it, but like I eluded to earlier, teenagers in sports are surrounded by it and that’s why it is always a topic of conversation.

Glad we are having the conversation as everyone’s input can actually help others.
Thanks.

Anyone taking illegal PEDs will get caught. They are hit on anti doping at national events. My ds has been done twice 😂

I do t agree with PEDs before 18 in the same way they don’t recommend protein supplements before that age either.

But I have no issue with parents who allow it. I’ve learned to shut out the noise around competitive swimming and just support my own son!!!!

@itsgettingweird Wow 🤩 - thank you for your candid response which I feel we need more of in order to forward the discussion (for / against).

I also keep my opinions to myself on poolside and do my best to shut out any of the unconstructive noise.

What is Swim England/ Aquatics GB guidance on this? Have they published anything helpful?

It wasn’t a dig at you!!! I’m just so use to hearing so many different things that I no longer listen to them and let them dictate my decisions.

FWIW my ds did have protein pre 18 (17) as he has a muscle wasting condition and his neurologist suggested it alongside vit D supplements due to the training load. Lots of people had opinions on this but I figure the person with the medical degree knew more than any of us!! (My ds is a para swimmer)

Im like glitter and tend to follow SE nutritionist guidance. DS also gets advice through TASS so we incorporate that. He does need a high protein diet even by swimmer standards!

I just think if parents are determined to use these and they are legal before 18 then we won’t stop them.

Ive seen burnout so much in swimming due to people doing too much too fast. Parental pressure and only feeling any good if they make nationals or win etc.

But I think there’s a good argument for use of supplements in younger swimmers as we have some younger swimmers who make Europeans and world juniors and they may need the support to their body. But I do think under 18 this should be guided by someone qualified rather than just parents following the lastest fad!

@GraveAndQuiet The below is from Swim England website:

Taking Nutritional Supplements
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.

@itsgettingweird Thank you once again for sharing as you really didn’t have to go into detail about your DS 🙏.

Hope your swimmer is doing very well, I am hoping mine is still passionate about the sport and still competing at age 17+ 🤞..

You have shared lots of valuable points and experiences that I am sure others will also find very helpful.

He’s 20 now and still loves it. Working and swimming and still progressing so that’s a bonus!!!

He came into the game quite late compared to swimmers in general and into para swimming even later so I think he’s benefitted from not having early burnout.

And yes to concerns about illegal substances creeping in. We always use SIS for any supplements (such as electrolytes) as it’s tested.

I think we are more cautious because we’ve had ADUK turn up at our house to test him - so we know it really can be anytime time and anywhere!!!!

@Dad2LF- come join us on the competitive swimming thread in extra curricular 👍🏻

yes do. It’s a great thread and I’ve learned so much and got such great advice that I’m almost at the point I can pretend to know what I’m doing 🫣😂