Effects of Supplemental Citrulline-Malate Ingestion on Blood Lactate, Cardiovascular Dynamics, and Resistance Exercise Performance in Trained Males

Abstract

Citrulline-malate (CM) has been proposed to provide an ergogenic effect during resistance exercise; however, there is a paucity of research investigating these claims. Therefore, we investigated the impact that CM supplementation would have on repeated bouts of resistance exercise. Fourteen resistance-trained males participated in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind study. Subjects were randomly assigned to placebo (PL) or CM (8 g) and performed three sets each of chin-ups, reverse chin-ups, and push-ups to failure. One week later, subjects ingested the other supplement and performed the same protocol. Blood lactate (BLa), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) were measured preexercise, with BLa measured a second time immediately following the last set, while HR and BP were measured 5 and 10 min postexercise. Citrulline-malate ingestion significantly increased the amount of repetitions performed for each exercise (chin-ups: PL = 28.4 ± 7.1, CM = 32.2 ± 5.6, p = .003; reverse chin-ups: PL = 26.6 ± 5.6, CM = 32.1 ± 7.1, p = .017; push-ups: PL = 89.1 ± 37.4, CM = 97.7 ± 36.1, p < .001). Blood lactate data indicated a time effect (p < .001), but no treatment differences (p = .935). Systolic BP data did not show differences for time (p = .078) or treatment (p = .119). Diastolic BP data did not show differences for time (p = .069), but indicated treatment differences (p = .014) for subjects ingesting CM. Collectively, these findings suggests that CM increased upper-body resistance performance in trained college-age males.

Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race

“…Previous studies have demonstrated the positive ergogenic effects of l -citrulline supplementation in anaerobic exercise [14,15]. In this way, l -citrulline-malate supplementation (8 g) increased submaximal resistance exercise performance (60–80% 1RM) [16,17], decreased rating of perceived exertion (RPE) [4], and increased the heart rate (HR) response [18]. In addition, watermelon juice (1.2 g of l -citrulline) and enriched watermelon juice (6 g l -citrulline) were reported as decreasing muscle soreness after 24 h of exercise [19].…”

Effect of L-citrulline intake on intermittent short-time high-intensity exercise performance in male collegiate track athletes

“…In addition, it was reported that 8 g of CM might be useful to increase athletic performance in high-intensity anaerobic exercise of flat barbell bench presses and to relieve post-exercise muscle soreness in males 17) . Furthermore, 8 g of CM before repeated bouts of lower and upper-body resistance exercise significantly increased the amount of repetitions performed by trained males 18,32) . Similarly, in female participants, acute 8-g CM supplementation prior to 1 h of upper and lower-body submaximal weightlifting exercise increased the performance and decreased the RPE during upper-body exercise 19) .…”

Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Body Weight in Patients With Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery

“…Arginine is noted for its unique benefits in improving reproductive, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, liver, and immune functions . Also, recent studies have proposed that citrulline enhances exercise endurance and performance in healthy adults . The beneficial effects of citrulline may stem from improvements in the arginine/nitric oxide pathway.…”

“…18 Also, recent studies have proposed that citrulline enhances exercise endurance and performance in healthy adults. 20,21 The beneficial effects of citrulline may stem from improvements in the arginine/nitric oxide pathway. Citrulline ingestion increases endothelial nitric oxide synthesis and may improve endothelial function.…”