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Nutrition/Ergogenic Aids

(66) ACUTE CITRULLINE MALATE SUPPLEMENTATION DOES NOT IMPROVE ANAEROBIC CAPACITY IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS

Friday, July 14, 2023
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Milano III-IV

    Poster Presenter(s)

  • Benjamin Wax, Jr., PhD

    Full Professor/Leadership & Performance Coach
    Mississippi State University
    Starkville, Mississippi, United States

    • Author(s)

  • JM

    Jerry Mayo

    Associate Professor
    University of Central Arkansas
    Conway, Arkansas, United States

  • Brian Lyons, PhD, CSCS

    Associate Professor
    University of Wisconsin-Parkside
    Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States

Abstract Details: Citrulline malate (CM) is reported to lead to a significant reduction in the sensation of fatigue by increasing the rate of oxidative ATP production during exercise and the rate of phosphocreatine recovery after exercise. Moreover, many athletes seeking higher performance with a decreased recovery time following intense training sessions seem convinced that a single dose (4-10 g) of CM one hour before a training session is an effective ergogenic aid. Whether CM intake improves performance has yet to be appropriately established.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potential ergogenic properties of citrulline malate (CM) during a 300-yard shuttle run.

Methods: Thirty-two recreationally active subjects (M=24; F=8) participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Participants completed baseline testing consisting of two 300-yard shuttle runs for time. Immediately post-exercise, a blood lactate measurement was taken via a finger stick. An average of the two trials (time in seconds and lactate accumulation in mmols) were recorded and used for analysis. One week later, participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups (control, placebo, 4 grams CM, or 8 grams of CM) and repeated the same exercise protocol. Data were analyzed via separate repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: No differences were observed for anaerobic performance (p=0.77) or lactate levels (p=0.69) during the 300-yard shuttle run. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The results demonstrated that acute CM supplementation did not improve anaerobic performance in healthy young adults. Based on current research, athletes should consider chronic ingestion before events to receive potential ergogenic effects.

Acknowledgements: None