CITRULLINE MALATE EFFECTS ON THE AEROBIC-ANAEROBIC THRESHOLD AND IN POST-EXERCISE BLOOD LACTATE RECOVERY

Abstract

880 Citrulline malate (CM) is a pharmacological compound which has been reported to influence lactic acid metabolism. The main purposes of this study were to evaluate the CM effects on the: (a) aerobic-anaerobic threshold; (b) blood lactate accumulation; (c) 30min post-exercise blood lactate recovery. Two male groups (G1 and G2) of senior basketball players ingested CM over a period of 13 days. During this time G1 (n=15) ingested between 6-9 ampoule/day and G2 (n=15) 3 ampoule/day. Each oral ampoule contained 10ml of solute at 50% CM 2.0g. The aerobic-anaerobic threshold (W4), using as criteria the workload corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4mmol/L, was used to evaluate the subject's aerobic capacity. Two maximal exercise tests in cycle-ergometer (increments of 40W/5min) were conducted before and after CM ingestion. Samples of capillary blood were taken from the ear lobe after each step and during recovery and analysed in an YSI-1500 Sport. The t test of independent and repeated measures was used. Statistical analysis within group concerning the W4 showed significant (p<0.05) improvements only in G1. Additionally, 27% of the G1 elements were able to achieve an higher maximal workload in the 2nd test. No further significant results were observed on the other physiological research parameters. The substantial improvements in G1 and the lack of similar results in G2 suggests that an higher ingestion of CM is likely to induce a physiological effect concerning improvements in aerobic capacity.