L-Carnitine and exercise

Carnitine has been considered an ergogenic compound mainly because of its role in energy production. While there are several studies showing a beneficial effect of supplemental carnitine on exercise performance, the overall evidence is equivocal at this point (Brass, 2000). This may be due to several factors. The differences between the various studies are in the experimental design involving dosage, pretreatment, duration, and study parameters. There is certainly a biochemical basis for expecting an improvement in physical performance, and there is some good evidence. However, additional studies integrating biochemical, physiologic and pharmacologic assessments are needed to clarify the role of carnitine (Brass, 2000).