The Effect of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Muscle Fatigue Among Healthy Participants

J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Sep;33(9):2464-2470. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002356.

Abstract

Farney, TM, Bliss, MV, Hearon, CM, and Salazar, DA. The effect of citrulline malate supplementation on muscle fatigue among healthy participants. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2464-2470, 2019-The focus of the investigation was to examine the effects of citrulline malate (CM) on muscular fatigue in healthy, recreationally trained participants. Twelve participants (men = 6 and women = 6) (24.1 ± 3.9 years) visited the laboratory on 3 separate days, all separated by 1 week. Each visit consisted of consuming 1 of 3 treatments: placebo, CM (8 g), and control in which no drink mixture was consumed. For each day of testing, participants consumed assigned treatment and performed 1 high-intensity exercise trial consisting of squats, lunge jumps, squat jumps, and lateral jumps. Participants performed the exercises in the listed order, which was designated as 1 round. Each participant performed 3 rounds, with the work-to-rest ratio being 20 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest. A 1-minute rest was given between rounds. A pre/post-exercise isokinetic leg extension test was performed to measure for peak power, peak torque, and rate of fatigue. In addition, blood lactate was obtained pre/post-exercise. There were no treatment or interaction effects (p > 0.05) for peak torque, peak power, rate of fatigue, or blood lactate accumulation. However, there was a statistical significant decrease from pre/post-exercise for peak torque (p = 0.003), peak power (p = 0.003), and rate of fatigue (p = 0.001). In addition, lactate accumulation did increase significantly from pre/post-exercise (p = 0.0001). Finally, neither total work nor final heart rate was statistically significant between the treatments (p > 0.05). Citrulline malate was not effective in improving performance or alleviating fatigue after a high-intensity exercise session.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Citrulline / analogs & derivatives*
  • Citrulline / pharmacology
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid / blood
  • Malates / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Muscle Fatigue / drug effects*
  • Muscle Fatigue / physiology
  • Muscle Strength
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Torque
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Malates
  • Citrulline
  • Lactic Acid
  • citrulline malate