L-Tryptophan

Twelve healthy sportsmen were subjected to a work load corresponding to 80% of their maximal oxygen uptake on two separate trials, after receiving a placebo and after receiving the same amount of L-tryptophan.

The subjects ran on a treadmill until exhaustion. Total exercise time, perceived exertion rate, maximum heart rate, peak oxygen consumption, pulse recovery rate, and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption were determined during the two trials.

The total exercise time was 49.4% greater after receiving L-tryptophan than after receiving the placebo. A lower rate of perceived exertion was exhibited by the group while on tryptophan although the differences from the control group were not statistically significant.