What Do You Know About Creatine?

Creatine Isn't Just For Muscles.





The Health and Exercise Science department of OU has decided to start the month of August off with another creatine study. This study will not just involve weights and resistance training, but cardiovascular, muscle contraction, and neuromuscular training as well.

A lot of studies are conducted at the Health and Exercise Science laboratory, and some seem similar, but in order to get results, multiple studies must be performed to receive actual facts.

Creatine is a nitrogen–containing compound that combines with phosphate to form the high-energy compound creatine phosphate (or phosphocreatine) in muscle. Creatine is claimed to enhance energy use and muscle strengths needed for further performances, according to segarsfw.com

"I have always heard that the HES department was always doing studies that involved creatine or a protein," OU Junior Andrew Beckons said. "I want to sign up for a study sometime, because I take creatine and other supplements and want to know how they are different in a study compared to just taking them on a normal basis."

Creatine is said to have similar effects as anabolic steroids, just without the side effects, according to altmedicine.about.com. Creatine is very popular amongst athletes and bodybuilders and is usually a safe substance to consume for competitions that involve drug testings.

There are different ways to consume and use creatine, other than for dealing with muscles and weights.

The Health and Exercise Science department is allowing creatine consumption in powder form and will be conducting your "non-traditional" exercises.

"We want to get a different aspect when dealing with creatine, so that is the reason why we are doing a lot of cardio and neuromuscular exercises for this study," Metabolic Lab Researcher, Abbie Smith said. "A lot of people don't know what creatine can actually do and that is another reason why we are performing this study, to show and educate more on that supplement."

The studies will also be focusing on the contractions of muscles (particularly the lower body) and what roles creatine can play when the body gets fatigued, Smith said

Studies have shown, creatine can have an impact on one's (athletic) performance and can help muscles recover quicker.

In the Health and Exercise Science laboratory, the studies do not come too easy. People sign up for the study, expecting an easy ride and free supplements, but it's more than that, Smith said.

The Health and Exercise Department issues contracts for participants to sign, in order to receive the full amount of exercise needed for the study and just in case there is a controversy about the amount of money, Smith said.

The exercises in this study are pretty hard compared to the previous studies in the department, Health and Exercise Science researcher and graduate student, Krissy Kendall said

"I didn't think this study would be so intense at first, and I workout quite often too," Kendall said. "It's funny because people sometimes think this is easy money, but I think you have to earn it some way or another, especially while running until you're out of breath."

The study contains running on a treadmill at one's 90 percent max, building up to longer amounts of time as one gets more in depth with the study.

The second and third experiments contain an observation on one's oxygen capacity and a neuromuscalar movement (and stretching) with the calve muscles.

"To tell you the truth, I didn't know what to expect when I got in there," OU Junior Michael Cummins said. "It was kind of new to me on some parts, like the treadmill part I was fine with, but the stretching my calve part took me a while to get used to."

Creatine is a popular supplement to both, The Health and Exercise Science department and to athletes all over the world. It is one of the easiest supplements to buy, but people usually consume in the wrong way, Smith said.

It's not uncommon to find people who do not know what they are doing when it comes to supplement taking or nutrient timing, Smith said.

Nutrient timing is the amount of time supplements need to be taken before and after physical activity to help fuel and replenish the body, according to ideafit.com.

The study will teach participants about nutrient timing (with consumption of creatine) and the results it can play before, during, and after a physical performance.

Studies have been done in the past years for the Health and Exercise Science department and have never had too much of any problems, Kendall said.

The Health and Exercise Science department always do laboratory studies and are always looking for participants who can meet the requirements.

This particular study requires one be at least 18 years of age and able to run at an intense pace for periods of time.

If one wishes to participate in this study, there will be a reward of 25 dollars (in form of a check) at the end of the study.

For more information, visit the Health and Exercise Science department, located across the breezeway of the Houston Huffman Center (between Asp and Jenkins).

It's Another One!

Hoop Mountain is Here....This Time.

This might be the last camp for the summer semester at the Houston Huff. Hoop Mountain is the name of this basketball camp and has teens coming from everywhere around the nation including Kansas, Texas,and even Alaska.

"I like this camp best of all out of all the other camps we have ran," Assistant Intramurals Coordinator, Jonathan Dewhirst said. "The kids here just try so hard and the teachings from the coaches are actually very helpful too."

Hoop Mountain will end July 26, meaning normal openings and recreational activity can occur on the basketball courts. Since the summer semester is coming to an end, camps and any other outside organizations will not be as "overwhelming" and stressful for students.

This past summer semester, the Houston Huff has received a lot of complaints about availability within the facility. Luckily, OU and the Houston Huff will benefit from this camp and after the camps are finished, students should be pleased with the availability of the facility.

Camp Crimson

A New Incoming Class


This weekend at the Houston Huffman Center, Camp Crimson will be taking over the whole facility from 9 pm to midnight. Camp Crimson is for the incoming freshman classes who have chosen OU as their college of choice and they will be experiencing campus life and recreation first hand.

"This is actually a really fun event that we take in," Assistant Intramurals Coordinator, Jonathan Dewhirst said. "I enjoy this a lot. It's fun to see the freshman come in all wide-eyed and not knowing what's going on, but after we talk to them some, they feel comfortable and loosen up."

Most of the time, Camp Crimson comes into the Houston Huffman, ready to play games that the facility has already set up for them. If freshman don't want to participate in any games, they can walk the track upstairs or sit on the bleachers and just relax.

The Houston Huffman will be hosting the incoming freshman and Camp Crimson for the next three weeks for recreational purposes. Every year Camp Crimson has been a "returning customer" to the Houston Huffman.

In Class Video

Video

Driven For a Job?

Students Driving.....Students.....for Cash?

The University Greens is hiring for there student shuttle driving position these upcoming weeks. For students, this may be the "perfect job", giving students the convenience, decent pay, and flexible hours.

"I am looking for a job and when I saw this, it sparked my thoughts because, I already live here and it would be perfect for me," The Greens Resident, Miles Upshaw said. "Plus, I love to drive and I think it would be a pretty easy job to earn some extra cash with."

The reason why The Greens is hiring for this position is because, all the previous shuttle drivers have graduated and there isn't enough people to fulfill the hours. According to The Greens management, the student shuttle has been catering to students for a couple years now and has always been a helpful ride for students without transportation or for just a ride in general to campus.

Flyers can be spotted on residence's front porch or around campus. The information about the student shuttle position is listed on the flyer, but for more information contact the University Greens front desk.

Where are YOU Going to Live?

It's That Time of Year Again for Students


The University Greens has started to sign leases and get their apartment complexes in shape for upcoming residents. The Greens have been renewing and allowing vacant spots to fill up since the beginning of May, and will most likely be full at the end of July.


"It was hard at first getting my spot back because, I didn't even know my spot had already been taken. And I was still living in there!", current Greens resident, Ashlee Coleman said. "I had to renew my lease right when I got the notice that it was taken, just to be guaranteed my spot and to have a place to live while I am here."


The Greens have been suggesting to residents that they renew their lease before it is too late, due to the amount of availability in the apartments and the popular demand for getting a room. The Greens have leases anywhere from a six month lease to a full year lease.


The Greens are a very popular place for students to live. The reasons why The Greens can have such a good reputation for students is the pricing and the convenience that it provides.

May We Have This Dance?

Room 141 is located at the front desk of the Houston Huffman Center. This room is where the new class Zumba takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 4.

Are You Up to Beat?

The Houston Huffman has introduced a new aerobics class for the summer time, Zumba. Zumba is a nationally known dancing workout program that has increased in popularity within exercise facilities and even home gyms.

"I like Zumba a lot, there hasn't been one time where I though it wasn't a good and I'm in pretty decent shape," Sally Panrell, Houston Huffman Employee, said. "I always see the class full, even though it's mostly girls, everybody in there is definitely involved and paying attention to the workout."

Attendants who come to the Houston Huffman for cardio, can take an alternate route to their "normal" routine and try Zumba with the aerobics classes. If one is not taking summer classes, summer membership costs are approximately $22 for access to the aerobics classes and the pool.

This is the Houston Huffman's first time to introduce a dance class with this type of tempo and intensity. Zumba will stay on the list of aerobics classes if it keeps staying popular amongst the attendants who use the facility.

Up in Smoke

Cigarette butts are found sitting in a swing at a local Norman park off Clearwater st.


Norman City Council comes to a conclusion about smoke in the air in public parks.


Does everyone's opinion count when it comes to the issues of smoking?

As you may know, the Norman City Council has made it final that there will be no smoking or use of tobacco products in Norman’s public parks.

Doug Cubberly, Norman City Council Member Ward 7, established this bill, after a similar one failed two years ago dealing with the same issues of tobacco.

“I started this, I felt the city could be doing more on the affects of smoking amongst the children and teens,” Cubberly said. "Smoking in public has always been a little issue, especially in the parks."

According to the Norman City Council, anyone who is caught under this ordinance will be cited and fined $100.

The bill for no smoking in public parks was a unanimous decision, which was declared final June 23 and will go into direct affect July 23. Many opinions were brought to light as the bill came closer to a final decision, but the opinions of council members and citizens were not enough.

The only park and recreational site that excludes this ordinance is the Westwood Golf Course.

Bob Thompson, City Council Member Ward 1, said he feels this issue dealing with smokers in parks should not be an ordinance. "City staff should be doing their job and this wouldn't need to be an ordinance," Thompson said.

The main concern with smoking in public parks, is the issue of secondhand smoke, and of course the health risks of the people smoking.

Cigarette butts can be found on the ground of public parks, which can be hazardous to children and even some animals, according to Norman Parks and Recreation.

Smokers and non-smokers of Norman have mixed emotions about this issue. However, it was a matter of time before the issue either got out of hand or too hazardous for people around it.

Dustin Holtman, citizen of Norman, said he understands the direction the Norman City Council is going and the reasoning's for it. "I understand the safety and cautions smokers have to take when smoking around other people," Holtman said. "I don't smoke, but I do find it annoying breathing in someone else's smoke even when I'm outside and maybe harming myself. I'm glad they are making this into an issue."

It seems as if Norman is not the only city in Oklahoma banning smoking in public parks. The towns of Owasso and Noble have similar guidelines and rules dealing with the same issues.

Some citizens of Norman feel as if the city council is taking too much of an affect on them and not letting people be themselves.

Norman resident and smoker, Jamie Spencer said she knows when to smoke and when not to, especially if there are children present. "I'm aware of when and where I smoke. It's not like smokers around the town are blowing smoke in the air just cause problems for little kids," Spencer said. "I understand not smoking in restaurants, but now in parks? If we can't smoke outside at a park, where else are they going to put us?"

Doug Cubberly said he just wants a safer environment for the future generations and a positive picture when it comes to the scenery of Norman's parks.

Another issue that Cubberly had wanted to clear up was the "bad" influence on younger kids when around smoke at the parks.

Cubberly said smoking was banned from where children congregated (swing sets, jungle gyms, etc.) the most at the parks. Now since the issue has taken a more positive turn toward health and hazards, any property linked with a public park is a no smoking zone, excluding parking lots.

Parking lots are the only exception where smokers can take a smoke break without being in danger of violating the no smoking policy.

The Norman City Council made it clear that it was not trying to take away rights from citizens of Norman. The Norman City Council just wants to experiment with cleaner air and less hazardous place for young children.

As for the golf courses, it was persuaded to be a less hazardous environment for younger children and in more of an open area, allowing a lot more ventilation.

A lot of opinions won over the right to smoke on the golf course, but the Norman City Council has a different approach about that issue in the future.

Loading Up

Treadmills and stationary bicycles are set up for the creatine study in the Health and Exercise Science laboratory.

Does Creatine Work For Everyone?

The Health and Exercise Science department is starting to look for participants for their future study dealing with the consumption of creatine. The study will take place in the beginning of August and will last for about two weeks.

"Our main focus is to see if creatine can play a proper roll in one's fatigue level and their performance in exercise," David Fakuda, Health and Exercise Science researcher, said. "I know it's a short amount of time, but that is also what we are trying to utilize and see if the affects will dramatically be noticeable or just barely."

The Health and Exercise Science Department has done a creatine study in the spring semester, which paid 25 dollars at the end of the study, and the results from the participants came out with a positive outcome. The impact from creatine can help one perform better and help muscle tissues heal faster, also giving energy to the body during and after physical activity, according to kirkmanlabs.com.

Depending on the results of this study, the Health and Exercise Science researchers plan on attempting another creatine study in the near future.