Citrulline Malate Fails to Improve German Volume Training Performance in Healthy Young Men and Women.

Citrulline malate (CM) is purported to buffer lactic acid, enhance oxygen delivery, and attenuate muscle soreness. Anaerobic exercise trials with CM have produced conflicting results. The aim of the current investigation was to test the efficacy of CM on resistance training (RT) with the hypothesis that CM would improve performance. A double-blind, counter-balanced, randomized control trial was utilized to assess the effects of CM on RT. Nineteen participants (8 female) (25.7 ± 7.7 years), regularly engaged in RT, consumed either 8 g of CM (1.1:1 ratio) or a placebo (6 g citric acid). Participants attempted to perform a German Volume Training (GVT) protocol comprising 10 sets of 10 repetitions of barbell curls at 80% of their one repetition maximum. Repeated ANOVA suggested no effect of CM on RT performance (treatment × time × order p = .217). There was no difference (p = .320) in the total number of reps over the 10 sets (CM median = 57, IQR 45-73; placebo median = 61, IQR 51-69). Blood lactate and creatine kinase did not differ between CM and placebo (p > .05). Finally, total muscle soreness was reduced significantly in CM compared to placebo (treatment × time × order p = .004). These results require corroboration; an ergogenic benefit is yet to be established, and weight trainers should exercise caution when assessing the efficacy of CM. Future research should focus on the potential effects of loading doses of CM.

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

BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.