THE EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM L-CARNITINE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING CONCURRENT TRAINING ON PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS AND ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS IN OBESE YOUNG WOMEN
Abstract
Background; Despite extensive research, the effects of L carnitine supplementation in treating obesity are still unclear and equivocal. L-Carnitine transports fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation and is marketed as a weight loss supplement. The purpose of the present research is to investigate the efficacy of long-term L-Carnitine supplementation during concurrent training on the physiological indicators and anthropometrics characteristics in obese young women.
Methodology; fourthly- five non-active, obese females (age = 22.76 ± 1.45 years, body mass index = 32.74 ± 1.43 kg/m2) participated in this research. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Experimental group 1 -EXP1: (Concurrent training with L-Carnitine supplementation), Experimental group 2 – EXP2: (L-Carnitine supplementation without training) and Control group (without training or L-Carnitine supplementation). Concurrent training was performed for 12 weeks, four sessions per week, with a training intensity ranging from 60% to 75% of the maximal heart rate reserve and one-repetition maximum. Both experimental groups were supplemented with 35 mg L-Carnitine supplement per kg body weight. Various physiological indicators and anthropometric variables were collected at three time points (pre-test, mid-test and post-test).
Results; A number of variables were significantly improved in the EXP1 after 6 and 12-weeks (blood pressure, weight, body mass index, percentage of body fat and fat free mass) and only after 12-weeks (maximal oxygen consumption, one repetitions maximum, resting heart rate). No significant changes were observed for EXP2 and C group.
Conclusion; L-Carnitine supplementation, in conjunction with concurrent training, emerges as a highly effective approach for enhancing physiological indicators and boosting and anthropometric characteristics in obese young women. Therefore, it is recommended that overweight female individuals integrate concurrent training into their regimen while taking L-Carnitine.
