Influence of L-carnitine administration on maximal physical exercise.
The effects of L-carnitine administration on maximal exercise capacity were studied in a double-blind, cross-over trial on ten moderately trained young men. A quantity of 2 g of L-carnitine or a placebo were administered orally in random order to these subjects 1 h before they began exercise on a cycle ergometer. Exercise intensity was increased by 50-W increments every 3 min until they became exhausted. After 72-h recovery, the same exercise regime was repeated but this time the subjects, who had previously received L-carnitine, were now given the placebo and vice versa. The results showed that at the maximal exercise intensity, treatment with L-carnitine significantly increased both maximal oxygen uptake, and power output. Moreover, at similar exercise intensities in the L-carnitine trial oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, pulmonary ventilation and plasma lactate were reduced. It is concluded that under these experimental conditions pretreatment with L-carnitine favoured aerobic processes resulting in a more efficient performance. Possible mechanisms producing this effect are discussed.
Vecchiet
L
L
Istituto di Fisiopatologia Medica, Università di Chieti, Italy.
Di Lisa
F
F
Pieralisi
G
G
Ripari
P
P
Menabò
R
R
Giamberardino
M A
MA
Siliprandi
N
N
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
D007773:Lactates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002331:Carnitine