Which supplement is commonly known to improve recovery times between intense exercise bouts?

The choice of creatine as the supplement known to improve recovery times between intense exercise bouts is well-supported by research and practical applications in sports nutrition. Creatine is a compound that plays a significant role in energy production during high-intensity, short-duration exercises. By enhancing the availability of phosphocreatine in muscles, creatine helps replenish ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels more quickly during recovery periods. This can lead to improved performance in subsequent exercise sessions by reducing fatigue and promoting faster recovery.

Additionally, creatine has been shown to help with muscle hydration and increase muscle mass over time, which can further contribute to enhanced recovery. The ability to recover more swiftly allows athletes to maintain a higher training volume and intensity, ultimately leading to better performance gains.

While beta-alanine, glutamine, and whey protein have their benefits—such as delaying fatigue, supporting immune function, and aiding muscle repair, respectively—these do not specifically target recovery times between bouts of intense exercise as effectively as creatine does.