Ergogenic effects of citrulline supplementation on exercise performance and physiological indexes of exercise performance during cycling tests: A review

摘要

Objective. - The supplementation of the nitric oxide precursor citrulline has been shown to boost athletic performance and recovery. Citrulline supplementation is appealing since it can be achieved legally through watermelon integration into the diet. However, the conditions where such supplementation improves exercise performance or physiological indexes related to exercise performance during cycling tests are confused and controversial since results differ according to the dosage, intake modality (chronic vs acute), the sport of interest, training status, and exercise intensity taken into account. Thus, an overview is needed to clarify the effects of citrulline during cycling tests. Moreover, the amount of watermelon required to achieve a minimum effective dosage of citrulline is unclear. Methods. - This review analyses studies that investigated the effects of citrulline intake, taken acutely vs chronically, individually vs combined with other amino acids, and assessed through cycling tests in trained and recreationally active individuals. Results. - Previous research allows differentiating the citrulline effects during long-lasting sub-maximal intensity exercises, single sprints, multiple supramaximal sprints, as well as on the subjective feelings of discomfort associated with cycling exercise. Conclusion. - Collectively, 6 g/day of citrulline supplementation for 7 days seems to improve sustained high-intensity laboratory time trials in both trained and recreationally active individuals. Causes may include physiological and psychological mechanisms associated with an improved energetic cost of cycling and a lower perception of fatigue. Performance improvements are also noticeable during single sprints in recreationally active individuals only as well as on the subjective perception of muscle fatigue and soreness during recovery. No improvements are noticeable on repeated sprints in trained individuals. This dosage of citrulline could be achievable through dietary watermelon supplementation symbolscript to 1.68 kg of "Tom Watson" and "Jubilee" fresh watermelon) without adding additional chemical synthesis-derived products. (c) 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.