Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Nitric oxide related ergogenic aids such as arginine (Arg) have shown to impact positively on sport performance through several physiological and metabolic mechanisms. However, research results have shown to be controversial. The great differences regarding required metabolic pathways and physiological demands between aerobic and anaerobic sport disciplines could be the reasons. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of Arg supplementation on aerobic (≤VO2max) and anaerobic (>VO2max) performance. Likewise, to show the effective dose and timing of this supplementation. A structured search was carried out in accordance with PRISMA® (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and PICOS guidelines in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus databases from inception to January 2020. Eighteen studies were included which compare Arg supplementation with placebo in an identical situation and testing its effects on aerobic and anaerobic performance tests. Trials analyzing supplementation with other supplements were removed and there was not athlete’s level, gender, ethnicity, or age filters. The performed meta-analysis included 15 studies and random effects model and pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) were used according to Hedges’ g. Results revealed that Arg supplementation could improve aerobic (SMD, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.56; magnitude of SMD (MSMD), large; I2, 89%; p = 0.02) and anaerobic (SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.43; MSMD, small; I2, 0%; p = 0.01) performance tests. In conclusion, acute Arg supplementation protocols to improve aerobic and anaerobic performance should be adjusted to 0.15 g/kg of body weight ingested between 60–90 min before. Moreover, chronic Arg supplementation should include 1.5–2 g/day for 4–7 weeks in order to improve aerobic performance, and 10–12 g/day for 8 weeks to enhance anaerobic performance.

The Efficacy of Pilates on Urinary Incontinence in Korean Women: A Metabolomics Approach

“…In the realm of sports science, majority of studies focused on the change of exercise performance and anthropometric change following the oral supplementation of glutamine and arginine [ 58 , 59 ]. Therefore, as a benefit in return, how the exercise types, intensities, or duration determine the waxing and waning of metabolic profiles needs to be verified as Oov Pilates program in our study led to the change of specific metabolites associated with short-term and moderate exercise intensity.…”

The effect of L‐arginine supplementation on maximal oxygen uptake: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Moreover, different L-arginine dosages used in chronic and acute supplementation protocols could have different physiological mechanisms of action. A recent meta-analysis reported that the effective dose of LAS should be adjusted to 0.15 g/kg body weight taken 60-90 min before exercise in the acute protocol or 10-12 g LAS for 8 weeks in chronic protocol for improving both aerobic and anaerobic performances (Viribay et al, 2020).…”

Nutritional Ergogenic Aids in Racquet Sports: A Systematic Review

“…On the other hand, NO synthase-dependent pathway supplements, such as arginine or citrulline, have shown different results. While arginine supplementation has demonstrated improvements in both aerobic and anaerobic performance with acute (0.15 g/kg) or chronic (1.5-2.0 g/day for 4-7 weeks or 10-12 g/day for 8 weeks) protocols [61], acute protocols of citrulline supplementation (3-6 g) showed a small effect size (0.2) on high-intensity strength and power performance in resistance exercise [62]. In master female tennis players (51.0 ± 9.0 years), acute protocol with 8 g of citrulline improved handgrip strength and power peak in a specific anaerobic test, but not the capacity of sustained power or jump power [37].…”