title: Effects of acute supplementation of L-arginine and nitrate on endurance and sprint performance in elite athletes.
abstract: This study examined the effects of acute supplementation with L-arginine and nitrate on running economy, endurance and sprint performance in endurance-trained athletes. In a randomised cross-over, double-blinded design we compared the effects of combined supplementation with 6 g L-arginine and 614 mg nitrate against 614 mg nitrate alone and placebo in nine male elite cross-country skiers (age 18 ± 0 years, VO2max 69.3 ± 5.8 ml ⋅ min(-1) ⋅ kg(-1)). After a 48-hour standardisation of nutrition and exercise the athletes were tested for plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations, blood pressure, submaximal running economy at 10 km ⋅ h(-1) and 14 km ⋅ h(-1) at 1% incline and 180 m as well as 5-km time-trial running performances. Plasma nitrite concentration following L-arginine + nitrate supplementation (319 ± 54 nmol ⋅ L(-1)) did not differ from nitrate alone (328 ± 107 nmol ⋅ L(-1)), and both were higher than placebo (149 ± 64 nmol ⋅ L(-1), p < 0.01). There were no differences in physiological responses during submaximal running or in 5-km performance between treatments. The plasma nitrite concentrations indicate greater nitric oxide availability both following acute supplementation of L-arginine + nitrate and with nitrate alone compared to placebo, but no additional effect was revealed when L-arginine was added to nitrate. Still, there were no effects of supplementation on exercise economy or endurance running performance in endurance-trained cross-country skiers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Silvana Bucher
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Sandbakk
authors.affiliation: Center for Elite Sports Research, Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Sandbakk
authors.affiliation: Sport, Health and Exercise Science Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.affiliation: Wales Heart Research Institute, Department of Cardiology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Physical Education, Nord-Trøndelag University College, Levanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Boye
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Welde
authors.affiliation: Sport, Health and Exercise Science Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.affiliation: UK Sport Council, London, UK; Olympic Training Centre Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Nikolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Böhlke
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: arnt.e.tjonna@ntnu.no.
authors.forename: Arnt Erik
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Tjønna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D012420:Running
chemical_list: D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine
keywords: Endurance athletes; Exercise economy; Nitric oxide