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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Anaerobic exercise
• Isometric force
• Lactate
• Return of force
• Muscle soreness
• GVT
• Citrulline malate

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0245-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0245-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Acknowledgments

All blinding was carried out by Dr. Margo Barker and all drinks were made up by Dr. Jeanette Gittens. The researchers would wish to extend their gratitude to all the participants who took part in this research and the technical assistance provided by our colleagues at Sheffield Hallam City and Collegiate campuses. The present study does not constitute an endorsement of any of the products used in this research. None of the researchers involved in the present investigation have any professional relationships with the manufacturers of the products used in this investigation. All correspondence should be sent to the lead author.

Funding

Sheffield Hallam University Business School and The University of Sheffield provided funding for this study.

Availability of data and materials

Please contact authors for data requests.

Authors’ contributions

AC conceived the study. AC and TS participated in the design of the study. JS, AA, KS, and SH were responsible for the data collection with participants. DA carried out all analysis on the dietary supplements. All statistical and nutritional analysis was carried out by AC. AC and TS drafted the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The present investigation had prior ethical approval by the Sheffield Hallam University School of Business Ethics Committee, ethics reference SBS-695.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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