Malate or Not? Acute Effects of L-Citrulline Versus Citrulline Malate on Neuromuscular Performance in Young, Trained Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

Abstract

L-citrulline (CIT) supplementation seems to improve resistance training performance; yet, whether malate has additive ergogenic effects when combined with CIT is unknown. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial aimed to compare the acute effects of CIT versus citrulline malate (CMA) supplementation on neuromuscular performance and exertion and emotional perceptions in young, trained men and women. 43 (21 women; 24.2 ± 3.7 years) participants ingested a placebo, CIT (5.3 g of CIT), or CMA (5.3 g of CIT, 2.7 g of malate) 45 min before three experimental sessions in a counterbalanced manner. We evaluated the upper and lower limb maximal neuromuscular and ballistic performance through the two-point method and countermovement jump. Strength-endurance was assessed across three sets of 10 repetitions in the squat and bench press exercises. Exertion and emotional perceptions were evaluated before and after the assessment and during the strength-endurance assessment. CIT and CMA supplementation did not enhance maximal neuromuscular performance (all p ≥ .061, ), or ballistic strength (all p ≥ .348, ). Neither CIT nor CMA supplementation improved strength-endurance as observed in the total number of repetitions (all p ≥ .590, ), repetitions before reaching velocity loss threshold (all p ≥ .623, ), mean velocity (all p ≥ .792, ), mean velocity decline (all p ≥ .293, ), and mean velocity maintenance (all p ≥ .393 ), or exertion and emotional perceptions (both p ≥ .306, ). In conclusion, CIT and CMA supplementation may not increase the neuromuscular performance during low- to moderate-volume resistance training sessions in young, trained adults. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT05183893).