For which athlete is creatine supplementation most likely beneficial?

Creatine supplementation is particularly beneficial for athletes engaging in high-intensity, short-duration activities that require rapid bursts of energy. Olympic weightlifters typically perform explosive lifts that demand power and strength, making them ideal candidates for creatine supplementation. Creatine helps increase phosphocreatine stores in the muscles, which can enhance ATP production during high-intensity exercises. This leads to improved performance in activities that require quick bursts of exertion and strength, such as weightlifting.

In contrast, marathon runners, long jumpers, and cyclists typically rely more on endurance and stamina. While they do engage in activities that require strength and power, the primary energy systems utilized in these sports do not benefit as significantly from creatine as those in weightlifting. Therefore, Olympic weightlifters are most likely to experience enhanced performance through creatine supplementation.