Effects of L-Arginine and Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Sport Performance in Physically Active Men

NCT06938126 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: TE-KEB/22/2023HungarianUSportsScience
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we investigated the effects of combined L-arginine (Arg) and citrulline-malate (CM) supplementation on aerobic, anaerobic, and high-intensity interval training in healthy, physically active men. 46 healthy, physically active men were divided into three distinct exercise protocol groups: CrossFit group, the Wingate Anaerobic Test group, and the Harvard Step Test group. The CrossFit performance assessment involved the "Cindy" workout, a high-intensity protocol composed of bodyweight exercises organized in a set sequence: 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, and 15 squats. Participants were instructed to perform as many rounds as possible within 20 minutes. The Wingate Anaerobic test involved a 30-second all-out cycling test on a bike ergometer, while the Harvard Step Test The Harvard Step Test was conducted using a 51 cm high platform, with participants stepping at a rate of 30 steps per minute (one second up, one second down) for five minutes or until exhaustion. Each participant attended three separate laboratory sessions. The initial session served for familiarization with the test protocol to minimize learning effects. In the second and the third sessions, participants attended two measurement sessions, conducted in randomized order and under double-blind conditions, where they received either the dietary supplementation or a placebo. Each participant acted as their control, allowing for within-subject comparisons.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

L-arginine; Citrulline-malate; Sport-performance; CrossFit

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Mechanical Power

  Maximal and mean mechanical power was assessed during the Wingate Anaerobic Test under both conditions (supplementation and placebo).

  Day 1 and Day 2

• Fitness Score

  During the CrossFit exercise and the Harvard Step Test the primare measure of performance was a Fitness Score, which was calculated from the rounds completed for the CrossFit exercise and from the time duration and heart rate for the Harvard Step Test.

  Day 1 and Day 2

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Heart Rate

  Day 1 and Day 2

Study Arms (2)

Supplementation

EXPERIMENTAL

Supplementation of L-Arginine and Citrulline-malate as a liquid

Dietary Supplement: L-Arginine and Citrulline-Malate Supplementation

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Consumption of a placebo liquid

Dietary Supplement: Placebo consumption

Interventions

L-Arginine and Citrulline-Malate Supplementation DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

L-Arginine and Citrulline Malate supplementation was consumed as a liquid one single time to examine the acute effects on sport performance

Supplementation

Placebo consumption DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Consumption of placebo as a liquid

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Only individuals identified as men could participate
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• being healthy, physically active with no history of injuries or illnesses at the time of measurement or within the preceding six months

You may not qualify if:

• consumption of any dietary supplements in the last six months to avoid confounding effects

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hungarian University of Sports Science: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hungaria University of Sports Science

Budapest, 1124, Hungary

Location

Related Links

• Home page of the University of Sports Science

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Arginine

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Amino Acids, Basic; Amino Acids; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Amino Acids, Diamino; Amino Acids, Essential

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Each participant acted as their control, allowing for within-subject comparisons. Each participant attended three separate laboratory sessions. Measurement sessions were conducted in randomized order and under double-blind conditions, where participants received either the dietary supplementation or a placebo.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 7, 2025
• First Posted: April 22, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2024
• Study Completion: September 30, 2024
• Last Updated: April 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: from April 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
• Access Criteria: Data are available by the corresponding author

Locations

HU (1)