Effect Of Acute Citrulline-malate Supplementation On Muscular Power

Abstract

Citrulline-malate (CM) is a nonessential amino acid that acts as a precursor to l-arginine in the nitric-oxide pathway and may increase exercise performance. While CM is shown to decrease fatigue and improve muscular endurance, there are no data evaluating the effects of CM regarding the effects on muscular power. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of acute CM supplementation on muscular power in recreationally active females. METHODS: Fifteen females (20.6 +/- 0.8 years) completed two randomized, double blind trials consuming either CM (8 g dextrose+8 g CM) or a placebo (8 g dextrose). One hour after supplement consumption, participants performed a protocol consisting of four exercises designed to assess muscular power. Tests included vertical jump, lower-body isokinetic exercise (ISO; 5 repetition and 50 repetition protocols), and a standard Wingate cycling test. RESULTS: Throughout the 5 repetition ISO, participants experienced significantly less fatigue (p=.02), as well as substantially increasing work completed in the last third (p=.03). The Wingate cycling test found subjects significantly increased average power (p=.03), anaerobic capacity (p=.02), and total work completed (p=.02). CONCLUSION: Acute CM supplementation in females increased power and total work while mitigating fatigue. These data indicate athletes may benefit from acutely supplementing CM if they are competing in sports where increases in max anaerobic capacity, power, or decreases in fatigue are beneficial.