by Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D.
A study conducted at Ball State University, Muncie, IN, has found that L-carnitine supplementation significantly helps "weekend warriors" during their recovery from high-intensity exercise. Recreational athletes typically experience soreness and stiffness in exercised muscles following an extended lay-off from exercise.
Dr. William Kraemer, Principal Investigator for the study and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, points out that "a speedy and less painful recovery is important for all people who exercise, be it regularly or irregularly, as recovery affects how quickly a person can return to exercising optimally." The present clinical study used a placebo-controlled, cross-over design in which ten healthy active men took either 2 grams of a placebo or L-Carnitine L-Tartrate supplement for 3 weeks, prior to a controlled exercise session.
"We are extremely excited by the results of the study which indicate that L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation, prior to high intensity exercise, is effective in assisting recovery, allowing for less tissue damage, decreased production of free radicals and significantly less muscle soreness following the exercise," said Kraemer.