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Gonzalez AM, Yang Y, Mangine GT, Pinzone AG, Ghigiarelli JJ, Sell KM. Acute Effect of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Recreationally Resistance Trained Men and Women. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2023; 8:88. [PMID: 37489301 PMCID: PMC10366749 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8030088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
L-citrulline serves as a nitric oxide precursor with the potential to increase blood flow and improve resistance exercise performance, yet more research is needed to examine its ergogenic potential. To examine the effect of L-citrulline supplementation on resistance exercise performance, muscle oxygenation, and the subjective perception of effort, energy, focus, fatigue, and muscle pump, eighteen resistance-trained men (n = 11) and women (n = 7) (21.4 ± 1.8 years; 172.3 ± 7.5 cm; 76.9 ± 10.8 kg) were randomly assigned for supplementation with 8 g of L-citrulline (CIT) or a placebo (PL) in a cross-over fashion one hour prior to testing. Participants completed an isometric mid-thigh pull test (IMTP), a ballistic bench press protocol [two sets of two repetitions at 75% 1-repetition maximum (1 RM) with maximum ballistic intent], and a strength-endurance bench press protocol [five repetition-maximum sets at 75% 1RM]. Barbell velocity and power were measured via a linear position transducer during the ballistic protocol, while the repetitions completed, volume load and muscle oxygenation were quantified during the strength-endurance protocol. Subjective measures were assessed at the baseline and immediately pre- and post-exercise. Repeated measures of the analysis of variance and Bayesian equivalents revealed no significant interactions, providing evidence favoring the null hypothesis (BF10 < 1) for IMTP (PL 497.5 ± 133.6 vs. CIT 492.5 ± 129.4 N), barbell velocity, and power, and repetitions completed (PL 36.7 ± 7.2 vs. CIT 36.9 ± 8.1 repetitions). There were also no significant interactions for muscle oxygenation parameters or subjective measures except perceived fatigue. Women reported greater fatigue across all time points compared to men (~1.88 au, p = 0.045, BF10 = 0.2). The results indicate that a single 8 g dose of L-citrulline did not enhance isometric force production, muscle endurance, or muscle oxygenation parameters during the protocol implemented in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Gonzalez
- Department of Allied Health and Kinesiology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Allied Health and Kinesiology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Gerald T Mangine
- Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | - Anthony G Pinzone
- Program in Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Jamie J Ghigiarelli
- Department of Allied Health and Kinesiology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Katie M Sell
- Department of Allied Health and Kinesiology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
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Park HY, Kim SW, Seo J, Jung YP, Kim H, Kim AJ, Kim S, Lim K. Dietary Arginine and Citrulline Supplements for Cardiovascular Health and Athletic Performance: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:1268. [PMID: 36904267 PMCID: PMC10005484 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The global market for nutritional supplements (NS) is growing rapidly, and the use of L-arginine (Arg), L-citrulline (Cit), and citrulline malate (CitMal) supplements has been shown to enhance cardiovascular health and athletic performance. Over the past decade, Arg, Cit, and CitMal supplements have received considerable attention from researchers in the field of exercise nutrition, who have investigated their potential effects on hemodynamic function, endothelial function, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, strength, power, and endurance. Previous studies were reviewed to determine the potential impact of Arg, Cit, and CitMal supplements on cardiovascular health and exercise performance. By synthesizing the existing literature, the study aimed to provide insight into the possible uses and limitations of these supplements for these purposes. The results showed that both recreational and trained athletes did not see improved physical performance or increased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with 0.075 g or 6 g doses of Arg supplement per body weight. However, 2.4 to 6 g of Cit per day for 7 to 16 days of various NSs had a positive impact, increasing NO synthesis, enhancing athletic performance indicators, and reducing feelings of exertion. The effects of an 8 g acute dose of CitMal supplement were inconsistent, and more research is needed to determine its impact on muscle endurance performance. Based on the positive effects reported in previous studies, further testing is warranted in various populations that may benefit from nutritional supplements, including aerobic and anaerobic athletes, resistance-trained individuals, elderly people, and clinical populations, to determine the impact of different doses, timing of ingestion, and long-term and acute effects of Arg, Cit, and CitMal supplements on cardiovascular health and athletic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hun-Young Park
- Physical Activity and Performance Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Department of Sports Medicine and Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Woo Kim
- Physical Activity and Performance Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Department of Sports Medicine and Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisoo Seo
- Department of Sports Medicine and Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yanghoon P. Jung
- CJ CheilJedang Food & Nutrition Tech, Jung-gu, Seoul 04527, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunji Kim
- CJ CheilJedang Food & Nutrition Tech, Jung-gu, Seoul 04527, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah-Jin Kim
- CJ CheilJedang Food & Nutrition Tech, Jung-gu, Seoul 04527, Republic of Korea
| | - Sonwoo Kim
- CJ CheilJedang Food & Nutrition Tech, Jung-gu, Seoul 04527, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiwon Lim
- Physical Activity and Performance Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Department of Sports Medicine and Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physical Education, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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Gonzalez AM, Townsend JR, Pinzone AG, Hoffman JR. Supplementation with Nitric Oxide Precursors for Strength Performance: A Review of the Current Literature. Nutrients 2023; 15. [PMID: 36771366 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitric-oxide-stimulating dietary supplements are widely available and marketed to strength athletes and weightlifters seeking to increase muscle performance and augment training adaptations. These supplements contain ingredients classified as nitric oxide (NO) precursors (i.e., "NO boosters"). Endogenous NO is generated via a nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent pathway and a NOS-independent pathway that rely on precursors including L-arginine and nitrates, with L-citrulline serving as an effective precursor of L-arginine. Nitric oxide plays a critical role in endothelial function, promoting relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and subsequent dilation which may favorably impact blood flow and augment mechanisms contributing to skeletal muscle performance, hypertrophy, and strength adaptations. The aim of this review is to describe the NO production pathways and summarize the current literature on the effects of supplementation with NO precursors for strength and power performance. The information will allow for an informed decision when considering the use of L-arginine, L-citrulline, and nitrates to improve muscular function by increasing NO bioavailability.
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