Janeira, M. A., Maia, J. R., & Santos, P. J. (1998). Citrulline malate effects on the aerobic-anaerobic threshold and in post-exercise blood lactate recovery. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 880.

Citrulline malate (CM) is a pharmacological compound reported to influence lactic acid metabolism. Two groups of male basketball players (N = 15; N = 15) ingested CM over 13 days. One group consumed 6-9 ampoule/day and the other 3 ampoule/day. Anaerobic threshold was the workload corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mM/l. Two maximal exercise tests on a cycle ergometer were conducted before and after CM ingestion.

The higher volume CM group showed significant improvements in the first test while fewer were able to improve on the second test. There were no other significant differences in factors measured.

It was concluded that citrulline malate is likely to induce a physiological effect that improves aerobic performance.

Implication. Higher doses of citrulline malate improve aerobic capacity.

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