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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 May 2;12(5):1300.
doi: 10.3390/nu12051300.

Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aitor Viribay  1 , José Burgos  2 , Julen Fernández-Landa  2 , Jesús Seco-Calvo  3 , Juan Mielgo-Ayuso  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aitor Viribay et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Nitric oxide related ergogenic aids such as arginine (Arg) have shown to impact positively on sport performance through several physiological and metabolic mechanisms. However, research results have shown to be controversial. The great differences regarding required metabolic pathways and physiological demands between aerobic and anaerobic sport disciplines could be the reasons. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of Arg supplementation on aerobic (≤VO2max) and anaerobic (>VO2max) performance. Likewise, to show the effective dose and timing of this supplementation. A structured search was carried out in accordance with PRISMA® (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and PICOS guidelines in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus databases from inception to January 2020. Eighteen studies were included which compare Arg supplementation with placebo in an identical situation and testing its effects on aerobic and anaerobic performance tests. Trials analyzing supplementation with other supplements were removed and there was not athlete's level, gender, ethnicity, or age filters. The performed meta-analysis included 15 studies and random effects model and pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) were used according to Hedges' g. Results revealed that Arg supplementation could improve aerobic (SMD, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.56; magnitude of SMD (MSMD), large; I2, 89%; p = 0.02) and anaerobic (SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.43; MSMD, small; I2, 0%; p = 0.01) performance tests. In conclusion, acute Arg supplementation protocols to improve aerobic and anaerobic performance should be adjusted to 0.15 g/kg of body weight ingested between 60-90 min before. Moreover, chronic Arg supplementation should include 1.5-2 g/day for 4-7 weeks in order to improve aerobic performance, and 10-12 g/day for 8 weeks to enhance anaerobic performance.

Keywords: aerobic; aminoacids; anaerobic; ergogenic aids; nitric oxide; physical performance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Funnel plot of standard error of anaerobic (a) and aerobic; (b) performance data by Hedges’ g. SE: standard error; SMD: standardized mean difference.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graph of risk of bias: authors’ judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot comparing the effects of arginine supplementation on anaerobic (>VO2max) performance.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest plot comparing the effects of arginine supplementation on aerobic (≤VO2max) performance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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