L-tryptophan supplementation does not improve running performance

Abstract

In 1988 Segura and Ventura (14) reported that 1.2 g of L-Tryptophan (L-TRY) supplementation increased total exercise time by 49.4% when the subjects were running at 80% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). In human performance research, acute improvements of that category are rather uncommon. Both for this reason and because ingestion of purified L-TRY may have adverse effects, it seemed pertinent to repeat the investigation of Segura and Ventura. Forty-nine well-trained male runners, aged 18-44, with an average maximal aerobic power of 66 (57-78) ml.kg-1.min-1, participated in a randomized double blind placebo (P) study. Each subject underwent four trials on the treadmill. The first two served as learning experience, including measurement of VO2max and anaerobic threshold. During the last two trials the subjects ran until exhaustion at a speed corresponding to 100% of their VO2max-first an initial trial and then after receiving a total of 1.2 g L-TRY or P over a 24 hour period prior to the run. No significant difference between the improvements in the L-TRY and P group could be demonstrated. It is concluded that oral L-TRY supplementation does not enhance running performance.