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The Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate Loading in Resistance Trained Males on: Anaerobic Muscular Endurance, Force Recovery and Muscle Soreness

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Abstract

The use of supplements to enhance performance is popular amongst gym enthusiasts. Citrulline-malate (CM) has been suggested as an effective ergogenic aid via the purported mechanisms of augmented ammonia metabolism, lactate buffering and increased vasodilation. The present investigation aimed to assess whether an 8 g loading dose of CM over 4-days improves anaerobic muscular endurance, strength, and rate of force development (RFD) recovery and muscle soreness. A counterbalanced randomised double-blind placebo cross-over trial was implemented over a 3-week period. Eleven resistance-trained males were recruited to take part in a German Volume Training (GVT) protocol. Maximum isometric, concentric and eccentric strength, RFD and muscle soreness scores were assessed using an isokinetic chair and a visual analogue scale (VAS). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in blood arginine and citrulline under the CM condition 38.9 ± 11.4 µmol/L and 45.7 ± 34 µmol/L respectively, compared to the placebo 27.3 ± 12.6 µmol/L and 9.9 ± 26.9 µmol/L. A repeated measure analysis of variance identified no significant difference (P = 0.71) in reps across sets (treatment x time). Post hoc analysis however found the absolute number of repetitions achieved was greater in the treatment group (P = 0.001), CM: 68.1 ± 19.0, vs. placebo: 54.9 ± 18.1. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in any strength and RFD measurements or muscle soreness between treatment arms. A loading dose of CM increase total repetitions but not muscular endurance across sets, more research is suggested to corroborate these findings.

Highlights

  • A four-day 8g loading dose of citrulline malate was tested on previously resistance trained participants using a German Volume Training (GVT) protocol.

  • The loading dose of citrulline malate increased blood citrulline concentrations, although this was not significant.

  • There was a difference in the total number of repetitions achieved during the GVT challenge over the course of the protocol with the treatment group achieving 13 more repetitions than the placebo.

  • There was no difference in muscular endurance between individual sets, force development, muscle soreness, lactic acid, or muscle damage between the placebo or treatment group.

  • These findings warrant further investigation to establish under what dosage and conditions citrulline malate might effect exercise performance.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mrs Ruth Knight for assistance with blinding and randomisation and all the athletes for taking part in this study.

Funding

No grants or funding agencies contributed to the running of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health, Sport and Food, University College Birmingham, Summer Row, Birmingham, UK

    Andrew John Chappell

  2. Food and Nutrition Group, Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, Stoddard Building, City Campus, Sheffield, UK

    Adrien Parry & Trevor Simper

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Correspondence to Andrew John Chappell.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The corresponding author and last author are both independent researchers working as consultants within the health and fitness industry. The authors have no competing financial interests that would be effected by the publishing of this manuscript.

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Chappell, A.J., Parry, A. & Simper, T. The Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate Loading in Resistance Trained Males on: Anaerobic Muscular Endurance, Force Recovery and Muscle Soreness. J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-024-00288-7

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