Effects of Carnitine with and without Glutamine Supplementation on Markers of Muscle Damage and Muscle Soreness among Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage can affect exercise performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Carnitine and Glutamine supplementation on markers of muscle damage and muscle soreness after physical exertion on football players.Materials and Methods: Twenty eight healthy male football players aged 21.1±0.7 were recruited in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 3 weeks of supplementation. Before supplementation protocol, each participant had to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 75% VO2max. Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups: L-Carnitine, L- Glutamine, L-Carnitine plus L- Glutamine and placebo. Blood samples were obtained pre-exercise and immediately after exercise. Muscle soreness was assessed on both occasions and two days after each exercise.Results: L-Carnitine and L-Glutamine supplementation for 21 days significantly decreased Creatine Kinase activity as a marker of muscle’s damage before (P=0.014) and after exercise (P=0.047), and muscle soreness two days after physical exertion (P=0.057). However, Lactate Dehydrogenase activity was affected by Carnitine supplementation after exercise.Conclusion: Chronic oral supplementation of Carnitine and Glutamine before exercise can reduce chemical markers of muscle tissue damage after exercise. In addition, these supplements may reduce muscle pain after exercise and optimize the processes of muscle tissue repair.