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Abstract

Citrulline malate (CM) is an ergogenic aid hypothesized to improve exercise performance by promoting nitric oxide (NO) production resulting in increased vasodilation, blood flow, and oxygen and nutrient delivery to working muscles. It is also thought to increase the synthesis of ATP and aerobic efficiency via malate and the TCA cycle. Prior research demonstrates improvements in upper and lower body submaximal resistance training exercise performance in females; however, limited research exists on the effects of CM supplementation on submaximal aerobic exercise performance in females. PURPOSE: Determine the effects of acute CM supplementation on submaximal time-trial (TT) performance in females. METHODS: Eleven female participants (age: 20±1.1 yrs.; height: 160.4±4.7 cm; mass: 65.1±11.5 kg) participated in a randomized, double-blind crossover trial ingesting either 8 gm CM + 8 gm dextrose or 8 gm dextrose (placebo). After one hour, participants completed a 30-minute TT at a moderate intensity. Each data collection trial was separated by a wash out period of at least one week. VO2 data was collected via expired gases at rest and throughout the trials with a metabolic cart. A two-way mixed model ANOVA was conducted to compare the effects of CM or placebo on TT VO2 at seven time points while a repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to determine the difference in TT distance traveled. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in distance traveled during each TT (1.8% difference; P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in VO2 at any time point between the conditions (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: CM supplementation does not appear to improve submaximal oxygen consumption in a 30-minute TT in females. Trends in the data suggest CM supplementation may have positive effect by increasing distance traveled during the 30-minute TT, however, further data collection is warranted to validate these conclusions as observed statistical power in the current study was low. Future research should explore outcome differences between males and females, and pre- and post-menopausal females to further understand the role of estrogen and its interaction with CM supplementation and NO production.

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