What role does creatine play in exercise recovery?

Creatine plays a significant role in exercise recovery primarily by acting as a lactic acid buffer. During high-intensity exercise, the body produces lactic acid as a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, which can lead to fatigue and muscle soreness. Creatine helps to stabilize the pH balance in the muscles by buffering the accumulation of lactic acid, allowing for improved performance and quicker recovery. By reducing the effects of lactic acid build-up, creatine can help athletes maintain their performance levels during subsequent exercise bouts and decrease the duration of recovery needed after intense workouts.

In contrast, flexibility, muscle soreness reduction, and body temperature increases are not the primary roles of creatine in recovery. While some research may suggest creatine has a minimal effect on soreness or recovery time, its main function in this context is as a buffer against lactic acid accumulation during exertion.