l-Arginine supplementation does not improve muscle function during recovery from resistance exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of l-arginine supplementation on muscle recovery after a single session of high-intensity resistance exercise (RE). Twenty healthy young adult participants (22.8 ± 3.4 years old) were assigned to 1 of 2 groups (N = 10 per group): a placebo-supplement group or an l-arginine-supplement group. The groups completed a session of high-intensity RE (0 h) and 3 subsequent fatigue test sessions (at 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise) to assess the time course of muscle recovery. During the test sessions, we assessed the following dependent variables: number of maximum repetitions, electromyographic signal (i.e., root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) slope), muscle soreness, perceived exertion, blood levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate, and testosterone:cortisol ratio. Number of maximum repetitions increased at 48 and 72 h postexercise in both groups (time, P < 0.05). CK levels and muscle soreness increased at 24 h postexercise and then progressively returned to baseline at 72 h post exercise in both groups (time, P < 0.05). Lactate levels increased immediately postexercise but were reduced at 24 h postexercise in both groups (time, P < 0.05). Testosterone:cortisol ratio, RMS, and MF slope remained unchanged during the recovery period in both groups (time, P > 0.05). No significant (P > 0.05) group × time interaction was found for all dependent variables during the recovery period. In conclusion, our data indicate that l-arginine supplementation does not improve muscle recovery following a high-intensity RE session in young adults.

Arginine and Endothelial Function

“…For instance, arginine supplementation has been tested in athletes, as vasodilation favors muscle perfusion and nutrient/oxygen delivery during exercise, enhancing muscle strength and recovery [ 143 ]. Controversial results come from these studies, sometimes yielding no effects of arginine supplementation on muscle performance, and sometimes demonstrating a significant improvement in exercise capability [ 137 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 ].…”

Hemodynamic and Lactate Response to Exhaustive Exercise with L-Arginine Supplementation

“…Most similarly, Alvares et al reported that Larginine increased blood volume at the level of the muscle but failed to enhance muscular strength or endurance after ingestion of a sixgram dose of L-arginine 31 . The lack of efficacy is not supportive of an ergogenic effect after exogenous L-arginine ingestion [32][33][34] . As these suggest, muscular power, muscular endurance, or recovery are not increased with L-arginine supplementation.…”

Oral Arginine Supplementation in Healthy Individuals Performing Regular Resistance Training

“…Puga et al evaluated the effects of arginine supplementation on postmenopausal women who perform aerobic exercise and found a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure values, while no beneficial changes were noted in cardio-inflammatory markers [ 35 ]. However, Andrade et al reported a non-significant effect in terms of muscle improvement of I-arginine supplementations after high-resistance exercise [ 36 ].…”