French, D. N., Volek, J. S., Avery, N. G., Scheett, T. P., Sharman, M. J., Ratamess, N. A., Rubin, M. R., Gomez, A. L., Kaiser, J., & Kraemer, W. J. (2002). Effects of polyunsaturated phosphatidycholine supplementation on performance, body composition, and recovery following repeated resistance exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 1288.

"Damage to cellular ultra-structures following resistance exercise is associated with muscle soreness, leakage of intracellular proteins into circulation, increases in lipid peroxidation, and reduces muscle strength." The influence of phosphatidycholine (PPC) on body composition and recovery from resistance training was investigated. Placebo (N = 9) and PPC (N = 9) groups were formed. After three weeks of supplementation, three resistance sessions with three days recovery between each session were performed.

There was a significant increase in serum creatine kinase on day 2 for the PPC group and on days 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 for the placebo group. Malonaldehyde was unchanged for the PPC group but significantly elevated on days 8 and 9 in the placebo group. Lean body mass was significantly increased in the PPC group. Muscle soreness was highest after day 1 but returned to normal at the end of the study in both groups. The PPC group showed faster recovery and increase in endurance repetitions in some exercises.

Implication. Phosphatidycholine supplementation has a minor performance and recovery effect when associated with resistance training. More research is required to verify any causal contribution of PPC to effects similar to those observed in this investigation.

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