Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Measures and Markers of Acute Kidney Injury After Exercise in the Heat

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Acute Kidney Injury, Exertional Heat Illness

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if one week of creatine monohydrate supplementation alters inflammation, markers of acute kidney injury (AKI) risk, and cognitive performance in active, young, healthy volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does one-week of creatine supplementation alter urinary markers of inflammation (cytokines) during exercise in the heat when compared to placebo? 2. Does one-week of creatine supplementation alter markers of AKI during exercise in the heat when compared to placebo? 3. Does one-week of creatine supplementation attenuate reductions in cognitive measures as a response of fatigue from exertional heat stress. Researchers will compare creatine monohydrate to a placebo (maltodextrin) to see if it alters inflammation, risk of acute kidney injury, and cognition after exercise in the heat. Participants will : * Complete a baseline aerobic exercise test to measure VO2max * Ingest 20 grams per day of creatine monohydrate or placebo (maltodextrin) for seven consecutive days * Cycle for 90 minutes in a heated chamber (38 C, \~40% relative humidity), alternating low- and high-intensity exercise * Self-collect urine before, after, and one-hour after exercise * Self-insert a rectal thermistor to measure core temperature * Complete cognitive tasks using the NIH toolbox before and after exercise to assess cognition * Complete the other condition (placebo or creatine) at least 21 days later

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07472426

Run by

University of Northern Iowa

People needed

20

Starts

2026-03-12

Expected to finish

2027-05-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-16

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 45. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age range: 18-45 years old
• Physical Activity Level: Classified as 'active' using the criteria of engaging in planned exercise at least 3x/week, for a minimum of 30 minutes per session, over the past 3 months
• Aerobic Fitness Level: Subjects must have an aerobic fitness classification of at least 'good' per American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) criteria and assessed via maximal oxygen uptake test
• Health Status: Free of any known cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, or neurologic conditions.
• Physical Limitations: Indicates no physical limitations to cycling for \~ 90 minutes
• Supplementation: Reports no use of creatine within the past 4 weeks
• Recent Illness: Reports no presence of illness, vomiting, or diarrhea in the previous three days.

You may not qualify if…

• Known allergy to creatine or maltodextrin.
• History of adverse heat-related events (e.g., heat exhaustion, heat stroke, severe dehydration requiring medical intervention)
• Reports use of medications or supplements that may interfere with thermoregulation, heart rate, kidney injury or blood pressure responses during exercise (e.g. NSAID)

Where it is running

• Wellness and Recreation Center — Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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