Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness.
The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of a single dose of citrulline malate (CM) on the performance of flat barbell bench presses as an anaerobic exercise and in terms of decreasing muscle soreness after exercise. Forty-one men performed 2 consecutive pectoral training session protocols (16 sets). The study was performed as a randomized, double-blind, 2-period crossover design. Eight grams of CM was used in 1 of the 2 training sessions, and a placebo was used in the other. The subjects' resistance was tested using the repetitions to fatigue test, at 80% of their predetermined 1 repetition maximum (RM), in the 8 sets of flat barbell bench presses during the pectoral training session (S1-4 and S1'-4'). The p-value was 0.05. The number of repetitions showed a significant increase from placebo treatment to CM treatment from the third set evaluated (p <0.0001). This increase was positively correlated with the number of sets, achieving 52.92% more repetitions and the 100% of response in the last set (S4'). A significant decrease of 40% in muscle soreness at 24 hours and 48 hours after the pectoral training session and a higher percentage response than 90% was achieved with CM supplementation. The only side effect reported was a feeling of stomach discomfort in 14.63% of the subjects. We conclude that the use of CM might be useful to increase athletic performance in high-intensity anaerobic exercises with short rest times and to relieve postexercise muscle soreness. Thus, athletes undergoing intensive preparation involving a high level of training or in competitive events might profit from CM.
Pérez-Guisado
Joaquín
J
Department of Medicine, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. pv1peguj@uco.es
Jakeman
Philip M
PM
D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D054874:Athletic Performance; D002956:Citrulline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008293:Malates; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000009:adverse effects
D008293:Malates; D002956:Citrulline; C071162:citrulline malate