Acute Effect of L-Carnitine Supplements on Lactate, Glucose, Saturated Oxygen and VO2max Variations in Young Males

Introduction: L-carnitine may improve athlete’s performance by increasing lipids oxidation. The goal of the present study was to assess the acute impact of L-carnitine supplements on lactate, glucose, saturated oxygen and VO2max levels in young men. Methods: Ten young males completed 2 sessions of exhausting exercise (Bruce test). In the first session, the participants consumed placebo and in the second session, they consumed 3 g of L-carnitine 90 minutes before the test. The 2 sessions were 1-week apart. Then dependent parameters were measured. Results: A significant difference was detected in VO2max and lactate between the placebo and supplement groups (P 0.05) but the difference between glucose, saturated oxygen and heart rate was not statistically significant (P 0.05) between the 2 groups. Conclusion: The present study showed that L-carnitine supplementation before exercise decreases lactate and increases VO2max in young men.