1. Introduction
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Creatine supplementation improves anaerobic performance and recovery; however, to date, these outcomes have not been well explored in females. This study evaluated the effect of creatine monohydrate loading on exercise recovery, measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and repeated sprint performance, in women across the menstrual cycle. In this randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, 39 women (mean ± standard deviation: age: 24.6 ± 5.9 years, height: 172.5 ± 42.3 cm, weight: 65.1 ± 8.1 kg, BF: 27.4 ± 5.8%) were randomized to a creatine monohydrate (Creatine is regarded as one of the most effective ergogenic aids for exercise performance [As a result of improving cellular metabolism, creatine monohydrate supplementation has led to improvements in anaerobic exercise performance and recovery by helping to maintain pH [Exercise recovery can be characterized as HRV, represented by the balance and fluctuation between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems (autonomic function) [To date, the mechanistic potential for creatine to enhance recovery has yet to be evaluated in women, particularly when controlled for the menstrual cycle [