Effects of Acute Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Repeated 100 m Sprint Performance in Trained Sprinters: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Abstract

Strategies that support repeated high-intensity sprint performance are of considerable interest in competitive sprinting and team sports; however, evidence regarding acute citrulline malate (CM) supplementation during recovery intervals remains limited. This study examined the effects of acute CM supplementation on repeated 100 m sprint performance and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in trained sprinters. Eleven trained male collegiate sprinters (100 m personal best: 11.22 ± 0.47 s; range: 10.35-12.16 s) completed randomized, double-blind, crossover trials (CM vs. placebo) on separate days. Each trial consisted of two maximal 100 m sprints separated by an 80-90 min recovery interval, during which 8 g of CM or placebo was ingested. Sprint performance was primarily evaluated using wind-adjusted 100 m sprint time based on Mureika's model. A significant condition × trial interaction was observed for wind-adjusted sprint time (p = 0.010), with a greater improvement in the CM condition (p = 0.008). RPE (Borg 6-20 scale) before the second sprint was lower (p = 0.004) following CM supplementation. These findings suggest that acute CM supplementation may modestly support repeated sprint performance under extended recovery conditions; however, the results should be interpreted with caution.