What effect does creatine supplementation primarily have on the body?

Creatine supplementation is primarily known for its role in enhancing muscle performance and promoting muscle growth. When creatine is ingested, it increases the availability of phosphocreatine in muscle cells, which helps regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell. This elevated ATP availability allows for improved performance during high-intensity, short-duration activities, such as sprinting and weightlifting.

As a result of creatine's effects on ATP production, athletes often experience gains in strength and power, leading to increased workload capabilities during training sessions. With regular training and recovery, this enhanced performance can contribute to an increase in lean body mass over time, mainly due to muscle hypertrophy that occurs as a response to the training stimulus combined with the effects of creatine.

The increase in lean body mass is further supported by studies showing that creatine supplementation can lead to water retention within muscle cells, contributing to a temporary increase in total muscle mass. Therefore, the primary effect of creatine supplementation is indeed improvement in lean body mass.