RESUMEN
The study of the state of carnitine metabolism is an actual problem for the specialists who are interested in the investigating of children's health, involved in sport. Indicators of carnitine metabolism reflect mitochondrial capacity and the state of energy of the cell, which in it's turn effect on the level of physical performance of athletes and their health status. The aim of our study was to identify the characteristics of carnitine metabolism in young athletes, as well as the establishment of correlation between carnitine metabolism and body fat mass. The study included 46 young athletes 12-17 years old involved in swimming. The average age of the athletes was 15.9 ± 0.2 years. Carnitine metabolism has been studied by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the content of body fat mass has been established by bioimpedance. The free carnitine didn't significantly differ in males (36.3 ± 1.1 mmol/l) and females (36.3 ± 1.3 mmol/l). Content of related carnitine was higher in boys--17.4 ± 0.8 mmol/l (vs 14.0 ± 0.9 mmol/l in girls, p < 0.05). Value of related carnitine/free carnitine (AC/C0) was significantly 22.5% higher in boys (0.49 ± 0.03), because of higher content of related carnitine. The content of body fat mass in boys was 9.6 ± 0.87%, and in girls--22.24 ± 1.0%. There was found a significant correlation between indicators of carnitine metabolism and fat body mass. The findings may suggest a higher mitochondrial potential of girls engaged in swimming.