title: Acute citrulline malate supplementation improves upper- and lower-body submaximal weightlifting exercise performance in resistance-trained females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Citrulline malate (CM) is a nonessential amino acid that increases exercise performance in males. However, based on physiological differences between genders, these results cannot be extrapolated to females. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate effects of acute CM supplementation on upper- and lower-body weightlifting performance in resistance-trained females.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen females (23 ± 3 years) completed two randomized, double-blind trials consuming either CM (8 g dextrose + 8 g CM) or a placebo (8 g dextrose). One hour after supplement consumption, participants performed six sets each of upper- (i.e., bench press) and lower-body (i.e., leg press) exercises to failure at 80 % of previously established one-repetition maximum. Immediately after each set, repetitions completed, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that subjects completed significantly (p = .045) more repetitions throughout upper-body exercise when consuming CM versus placebo (34.1 ± 5.7 vs. 32.9 ± 6.0, respectively). When consuming CM, similar significant (p = .03) improvements in total repetitions completed were observed for lower-body exercise (66.7 ± 30.5 vs. 55.13 ± 20.64, respectively). Overall RPE score was significantly lower (p = .02) in upper-body exercise when subjects consumed CM versus placebo (7.9 ± 0.3 and 8.6 ± 0.2, respectively). The supplement consumed exhibited no significant effects on heart rate at any time point.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute CM supplementation in females increased upper- and lower-body resistance exercise performance and decreased RPE during upper-body exercise. These data indicate that athletes competing in sports with muscular endurance-based requirements may potentially improve performance by acutely supplementing CM.
authors.affiliation: Office for Studies on Aging - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. jmglenn@latech.edu.|Human Performance Lab - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. jmglenn@latech.edu.|Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana Tech University, Memorial Gym: Office 305, PO Box 3176, Ruston, LA, 71272, USA. jmglenn@latech.edu.
authors.forename: Jordan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Glenn
authors.affiliation: Office for Studies on Aging - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.|Human Performance Lab - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Office for Studies on Aging - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Wethington
authors.affiliation: Office for Studies on Aging - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.|Human Performance Lab - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: Office for Studies on Aging - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.|Human Performance Lab - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Rodger W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Lab - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Moyen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D002956:Citrulline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008293:Malates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015995:Prevalence; D055070:Resistance Training; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014891:Weight Lifting; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008293:Malates; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D002956:Citrulline; C071162:citrulline malate
keywords: Amino acids; Ergogenic aid; Nitric oxide; Resistance exercise; Sports nutrition; Women