May 29, 2015Journal of Applied Physiology127 citations
View Full Paperl-Citrulline supplementation improves O2 uptake kinetics and high-intensity exercise performance in humans
Structured PICO
Does l-citrulline supplementation improve O2 uptake kinetics and exercise performance in healthy adult men?
P
Population
10 healthy adult men
I
Intervention
l-citrulline 6 g/day for 7 days
C
Comparator
Placebo and l-arginine 6 g/day for 7 days
O
Outcome
Nitric oxide (NO) biomarkers, pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2) kinetics, and exercise performancesurrogate
Short-term l-citrulline supplementation improves blood pressure, V̇o2 kinetics, and exercise performance in healthy adults, whereas l-arginine does not.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of l-citrulline (Cit) and l-arginine (Arg) supplementation on nitric oxide (NO) biomarkers, pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2) kinetics, and exercise performance. In a randomized, placebo (Pla)-controlled, crossover study, 10 healthy adult men completed moderate- and severe-intensity cycling exercise on days 6 and 7 of a 7-day supplementation period with Pla, Arg (6 g/day), and Cit (6 g/day). Compared with Pla, plasma Arg concentration was increased by a similar magnitude with Arg and Cit supplementation, but plasma Cit concentration was only increased (P 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that short-term Cit, but not Arg, supplementation can improve blood pressure, V̇o2 kinetics, and exercise performance in healthy adults.