Effect of Carnitine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Skeletal Muscle Function
Condition: Sarcopenia
MeSH terms: Sarcopenia
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The primary aim of the current research project is to explore whether nutritional
      supplementation and resistance training might be combined to produce synergistic effects in
      the prevention of muscle loss during aging.

      A secondary aim of this project is to investigate the effects of carnitine with leucine
      supplementation, in comparison to carnitine supplementation alone, on muscle strength and
      body composition.

      The hypothesis is that resistance training combined with nutritional supplementation have a
      more beneficial effect than resistance training alone in the prevention of muscle loss during
      aging. Leucine stimulates carnitine transport into the muscle cells, which improve
      mitochondrial capacity. Modification in energetic of skeletal muscle affects the body
      composition and muscle performance.
    

Detailed description: 
      The study will be included volunteers - women between 60 - 72 years old (n=60). The patients
      are randomly assigned to two experimental groups (n=20) and control group (n=20). During the
      24-weeks intervention period, Group A undergoes training procedure supplemented with the
      carnitine and leucine, whilst group B undergoes training procedure supplemented with leucine.
      At the same time control group go through only training procedure. Measurements are performed
      before, at the mid-point, and at the end of the intervention period.

      Approximately 1 week prior to the experimental trial day, participants perform a
      familiarization session during which one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength testing is also
      performed to determine the experimental exercise load. Resistance exercise training is
      performed twice weekly on non-consecutive days (Monday+Thursday, or Tuesday+Friday) for
      24-weeks under direct supervision by a research assistant. Prior to a training session
      subjects are required to perform warm - up on the treadmill (walk) and static stretching,
      after each session - cool down on the cycle ergometer and static stretching. Resistance
      exercise for each session consisted of 6 exercises: horizontal seated leg press, seated chest
      press, leg extension, shoulder press, lat pull-down seated row, seated cable row First two
      weeks of training consist of 3 sets of 10-12 repetitions and are keeping exercises at 65% of
      1 repetition maximum (1RM). After this period training consists of 3 sets of 6-8 repetitions
      and is progressing to 80% of 1RM. The 1RM is re-evaluated every 2 weeks, and the training
      load is adjusted accordingly. The exercise program follows the recommended guidelines for
      older adults by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and
      Conditioning Association.
    

Intervention name(s): L-carnitine supplementation; Leucine supplementation; Resistance training
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Dietary Supplement; Procedure
Intervention description(s): Supplementation of 1000 mg L-carnitine-L-tartrate in combination with 3000 mg L-leucine per day throughout the study period.; Supplementation of 4000 mg L-leucine per day throughout the study period.; Resistance training at the gym, twice a week for 24 weeks (48 training units in total).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: L-Carnitine; Resistance training; Magnetic resonance imaging; Muscle function; Aging; Leucine