Citrulline malate supplementation does not improve German Volume Training performance or reduce muscle soreness in moderately trained males and females

• Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 42
• Main Authors: Chappell, Andrew J, Allwood, Daniel M, Johns, Rebecca, Brown, Samantha, Sultana, Kiran, Anand, Annie, Simper, Trevor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States BioMed Central Ltd 10.08.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd; BioMed Central; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Adult; Aerobics; Ammonia; anaerobic exercise; Citrulline; Citrulline - analogs & derivatives; Citrulline - pharmacology; citrulline malate; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Energy drinks; Exercise; Female; gvt; Humans; isometric force; lactate; Lactic acid; Lactic Acid - blood; Malates - pharmacology; Male; Malic acid; Metabolism; Muscle fatigue; muscle soreness; Muscle Strength; Muscle Strength Dynamometer; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Musculoskeletal system; Myalgia - drug therapy; Nutrition; Physical fitness; return of force; Young Adult; Muscle soreness; Isometric force; GVT; Lactate; Return of force; Citrulline malate; Anaerobic exercise
• ISSN: 1550-2783; 1550-2783
• DOI: 10.1186/s12970-018-0245-8

Use of supplements to aid performance is common practice amongst recreationally active individuals, including those without a sufficient evidence base. This investigation sought to assess whether acute supplementation with 8 g of citrulline malate (CM) (1.11: 1 ratio) would improve anaerobic performance. A randomised double blind placebo control trial was employed, using a counterbalanced design. We recruited recreationally active men and women to take part in an isokinetic chair protocol, based on German Volume Training (GVT) whereby participants attempted to perform 10 sets of 10 repetitions against a force representing 70% of their peak concentric force. The number of repetitions achieved over the course of the GVT was 94.0 ± 7.9 and 90.9 ± 13.9 for placebo and CM respectively. There was no significant difference between the placebo and CM treatment for number of repetitions (P = 0.33), isometric (P = 0.60), concentric (P = 0.38), or eccentric (P = 0.65) peak force following the GVT. Total muscle soreness was significantly higher in the CM compared to the placebo treatment following the GVT protocol over 72 h (P = 0.01); although this was not accompanied by a greater workload/number of repetitions in the CM group. We conclude that an acute dose of CM does not significantly affect anaerobic performance using an isokinetic chair in recreational active participants. Practical implications include precaution in recommending CM supplementation. Coaches and athletes should be aware of the disparity between the chemical analyses of the products reviewed in the present investigation versus the manufacturers' claims.