Sharp, C. P., Rubin, M. R., Volek, J. S., Gomez, A. L., Wickham, R. B., Ratamess, N. A., Doan, B. K., French, D. N., Mazzetti, S. A., McGuigan, M., Jemiolo, B. Craig, B. W., Pearson, D. R., Newton, R. U., Kitaura, T., Dooly, C. R., & Kraemer, W. J. (2001). The influence of L-carnitine on muscle damage, soreness, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) after resistance exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 698.

Healthy active men (N = 10) took either a placebo or L-carnitine (LC) supplement for three weeks before a squat protocol (5 x 15-20 reps, 2-min rest intervals). Blood and muscle soreness measures were gathered before, and 0, 15, 30, and 180 minutes post-exercise and 24, 48,72, and 96 hours after exercise.

Lactate measures were similar for both groups at the cessation of the exercise. The LC group recorded lower plasma myoglobin measures at all times after exercise. No significant differences were observed for IGF-1. Free fatty acids were significantly lower in the LC group.

Implication. L-carnitine supplementation enhanced recovery from exhausting resistance exercise.

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