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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 Dec;9(6):553-561.
doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.02.003. Epub 2020 Feb 8.

Effect of citrulline on post-exercise rating of perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hye Chang Rhim  1 , Sung Jong Kim  1 , Jewel Park  1 , Ki-Mo Jang  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effect of citrulline on post-exercise rating of perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hye Chang Rhim et al. J Sport Health Sci. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Citrulline is one of the non-essential amino acids that is thought to improve exercise performance and reduce post-exercise muscle soreness. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of citrulline supplements on the post-exercise rating of perceived exertion (RPE), muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels.

Methods: A random effects model was used to calculate the effect sizes due to the high variability in the study design and study populations of the articles included. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed. Eligibility for study inclusion was limited to studies that were randomized controlled trials involving healthy individuals and that investigated the acute effect of citrulline supplements on RPE, muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels. The supplementation time frame was limited to 2 h before exercise. The types and number of participants, types of exercise tests performed, supplementation protocols for L-citrulline or citrulline malate, and primary (RPE and muscle soreness) and secondary (blood lactate level) study outcomes were extracted from the identified studies.

Results: The analysis included 13 eligible articles including a total of 206 participants. The most frequent dosage used in the studies was 8 g of citrulline malate. Citrulline supplementation significantly reduced RPE (n = 7, p = 0.03) and muscle soreness 24-h and 48-h after post-exercise (n = 7, p = 0.04; n = 6, p = 0.25, respectively). However, citrulline supplementation did not significantly reduce muscle soreness 72-h post-exercise (n = 4, p = 0.62) or lower blood lactate levels (n = 8, p = 0.17).

Conclusion: Citrulline supplements significantly reduced post-exercise RPE and muscle soreness without affecting blood lactate levels.

Keywords: Amino acids; Dietary supplements; Ergogenic aid; Nitric oxide; Watermelon juice.

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Figures

Image, graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
Fig 1
Fig. 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram of study selection process and results. RCT = randomized controlled trial.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
The effect of citrulline supplementation on rating of perceived exertion.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
The effect of citrulline supplementation on subjective rating of muscle soreness. (A) At 24 h after exercise; (B) At 48 h after exercise; (C) At 72 h after exercise.
Fig 4
Fig. 4
The effect of citrulline supplementation on lactate levels after exercise.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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