Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race

Abstract

Background: Watermelon is a rich natural source of l-citrulline. This non-essential amino acid increases exercise performance.Objective: Evaluate the effect of Fashion watermelon juice enriched in l-citrulline (CWJ) (3.45 g per 500 mL) in physical performance and biochemical markers after a half-marathon race.Design: A randomised, double blind, crossover design where 2 h after drinking 500 mL of CWJ or placebo (PLA, beverage without l-citrulline) amateur male runners performed two half-marathon races. Jump height, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were evaluated before and after the races. Moreover, muscle soreness and plasma markers of muscle damage and metabolism were evaluated for 72 h after the races.Results: Muscle soreness perception was significantly lower from 24 to 72 h after the race with CWJ beverage. Immediately after the races, runners under CWJ condition showed plasma lactate and glucose concentrations significantly lower and higher lactate dehydrogenase and l-arginine concentration than runners under PLA. A maintenance of jump heights after the races under CWJ supplementation was found, decreasing significantly with PLA.Conclusion: A single Fashion watermelon juice enriched in l-citrulline dose diminished muscle soreness perception from 24 to 72 h after the race and maintained lower concentrations of plasma lactate after an exhausting exercise.

Effect of L-citrulline intake on intermittent short-time high-intensity exercise performance in male collegiate track athletes

“…While the results of the present study need to be confirmed in further studies, Suzuki et al 20) reported that Cit supplementation decreased plasma BCAA levels, indicating that Cit promotes the metabolic use of BCAA as a significant differences in race time and RPE compared to the Pla group in healthy, amateur male runners 15) .…”

“…Cit and Arg are both involved in the ornithine cycle in the liver, which is responsible for eliminating ammonia in the form of urea. Ammonia increases during intense exercise in association with muscle fatigue 10,14,15) , and activates phosphofructokinase, preventing oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl CoA 10) . Supplementation of Cit, Arg, and ornithine has been shown to suppress ammonia accumulation after exercise and prolong the time to reach exhaustion 10,14) .…”

Supplementation of Re-Esterified Docosahexaenoic and Eicosapentaenoic Acids Reduce Inflammatory and Muscle Damage Markers after Exercise in Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial

“…On the other hand, scientists and coaches are continually looking for techniques to improve exercise performance [11], the intake of ergogenic aids being one of the most common and popular means used by athletes to maximise their physical performance [12]. Specifically, exhaustive exercise (e.g., high-intensity exercise, eccentric exercise or resistance training) produces muscular myofibril ruptures causing inflammation, muscle damage with a concomitant increment of the plasma concentrations of muscle damage markers, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle fatigue, decreasing sports performance [11]. In this way, there is some evidence that n-3 PUFA supplementation has a positive ergogenic effect, improving exercise performance and recovery processes [13,14] and contributes to reducing exercise fatigue [6].…”

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract supplementation affects exhaustive exercise-induced fatigue in mice

“…Exercise involves human physiological changes ( 1 , 2 ). Regular exercise has been widely demonstrated to have a function of lowering the risk of human chronic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancers ( 3 – 5 ).…”