CM7.5

Citrulline Malate Research

39 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10

Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate on Repetition Performance During Strength Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vårvik FT et al. • International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (2021)

Supplementing with 6-8g CitMal increased repetitions by 6.4% compared with placebo.

Small ergogenic effect (SMD=0.196)
3 ± 5 additional repetitions on average
Optimal dose 6-8g 40-60 min before exercise

Meta-Analysisn=198

DOI

Effect of citrulline on post-exercise rating of perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels

Rhim HC et al. • Journal of Sport and Health Science (2020)

Citrulline supplementation significantly reduced RPE and muscle soreness 24-48h post-exercise.

Significant RPE reduction (p=0.03)
Reduced muscle soreness at 24h and 48h
8g citrulline malate most common effective dose

Meta-Analysisn=206

DOI

Acute Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on High-Intensity Strength and Power Performance

Trexler ET et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2019)

Small effect size of 0.20 for strength and power outcomes.

12 studies with 198 participants analyzed
Small but potentially meaningful effect
May be relevant for elite athletes

Meta-Analysisn=198

DOI

Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Muscle Strength in Resistance-Trained Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Aguiar AF et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2022)

Accordingly, our findings suggest that citrulline malate supplementation does not improve muscle strength in healthy and resistance-trained individuals (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020159338).

We did not observe an overall effect favoring citrulline-malate supplementation (SMD95% = 0.13 [-0.21; 0.46]).
Considering the lower (SMD95% = 0.06 [-0.47; 0.60]) and upper (SMD95% = 0.17 [-0.26; 0.60]) limbs, a non-significant overall effect was identified.
The mean effects were similar for "limbs" (upper vs lower) [p = 0.763].

Meta-Analysis

DOI

Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Humans: A Review of the Current Literature

Gonzalez AM et al. • Journal of strength and conditioning research (2020)

Given the positive effects observed from some investigations, future studies should continue to investigate the effects of both acute and chronic supplementation with L-citrulline and citrulline malate on markers of blood flow and exercise performance and should seek to elucidate the mechanism underlying such effects.

Oral L-citrulline and citrulline malate supplementation have shown to increase plasma citrulline and arginine concentrations, along with total nitrate and nitrite concentrations.
Although blood flow enhancement is a proposed mechanism for the ergogenic potential of L-citrulline, evidence supporting acute improvements in vasodilation and skeletal muscle tissue perfusion after supplementation is scarce and inconsistent.
Nevertheless, several studies have reported that L-citrulline supplementation can enhance exercise performance and recovery.

Systematic Review

DOI

Effects of Acute Citrulline Malate Supplementation on CrossFit(®) Exercise Performance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study

Devrim-Lanpir A et al. • Nutrients (2024)

This study highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes, both genders, and different CM dosages to clarify these findings and better understand CM's role in enhancing athletic performance.

The results indicated no significant difference in the number of rounds completed between the CM and placebo conditions (13.5 ± 5.2 vs. 13.8 ± 6.7 rounds, respectively; p = 0.587).
However, the time spent in zone 4 (80-90% of HR max) was significantly increased in the CM condition (527 ± 395 s vs. 453 ± 334 s; p = 0.017), suggesting a potential benefit for aerobic capacity and anaerobic threshold.
No significant differences in post-exercise recovery time were observed (6.6 ± 4.7 h vs. 6.9 ± 4.7 h; p = 0.475).

Crossovern=21

DOI

Malate or Not? Acute Effects of L-Citrulline Versus Citrulline Malate on Neuromuscular Performance in Young, Trained Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

Martín-Olmedo JJ et al. • International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism (2025)

This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT05183893).

CIT and CMA supplementation did not enhance maximal neuromuscular performance (all p ≥ .061, ηp2≤.066), or ballistic strength (all p ≥ .348, ηp2≤.025).
In conclusion, CIT and CMA supplementation may not increase the neuromuscular performance during low- to moderate-volume resistance training sessions in young, trained adults.
This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT05183893).

Crossovern=21

DOI

Impact of Chronic Nitrate and Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ramírez-Munera M et al. • Nutrients (2025)

These effects could reflect improved tolerance to high training loads and sustained NO3- availability during recovery.

Plasma NO3- concentrations significantly increased from baseline in the NIT + CM group and remained elevated 24 h after the final dose, confirming sustained systemic exposure.
During post-match testing, the NIT + CM group exhibited a significantly smaller decline in mean (Pmean) and minimum (Pmin) power during the WAnT, along with reduced power loss in both the first (0-15 s) and second (15-30 s) intervals.
Conclusions: Chronic NIT + CM supplementation may enhance Vmax and help preserve anaerobic performance the day after a match.

RCTn=60

DOI

New perspectives for investigating muscular perfusion response after dietary supplement intake: an exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in healthy young athletes using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)

Bürkle F et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2022)

Based on our novel examination protocol, CEUS seems to be feasible following higher-load resistance exercising and may be used as a new method for high-resolution perfusion quantification to investigate the effects of pre-exercise dietary supplementation on muscle perfusion and related muscle size dynamics.

Clinical trial examining Citrulline Malate efficacy
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Crossovern=30

DOI

The Effect of a Single Dose of Citrulline on the Physical Performance of Soccer-Specific Exercise in Adult Elite Soccer Players (A Pilot Randomized Double-Blind Trial)

Bezuglov E et al. • Nutrients (2022)

Neither a single intake of 3 g nor of 6 g of citrulline malate affected physical performance, subjective feelings of fatigue or post-exercise recovery in adult elite soccer players who performed a soccer-specific test.

There were no statistically significant differences in most of the analyzed parameters, nor at any of the time points for lactate concentration.
Neither a single intake of 3 g nor of 6 g of citrulline malate affected physical performance, subjective feelings of fatigue or post-exercise recovery in adult elite soccer players who performed a soccer-specific test.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=18

DOI

Acute effects of combined supplementation of L-arginine and citrulline malate on aerobic, anaerobic, and CrossFit exercise performance

Selvaraj S et al. • Scientific reports (2025)

This rct examined the effects of Citrulline Malate.

The results revealed no significant improvement in performance with supplementation in comparison to placebo, except for a shorter time to reach peak power in the Wingate test.
Findings suggest that the combined acute supplementation of Arg and CM, at the given dosages, may not provide substantial benefits for aerobic and anaerobic or CrossFit performance in active individuals.
Future research with larger sample sizes and higher dosages, potentially adjusted for muscle mass, is recommended to determine whether chronic supplementation might yield greater ergogenic effects.

RCTn=18

DOI

Effects of 3 days of citrulline malate supplementation on short-duration repeated sprint running performance in male team sport athletes

Faria VS et al. • European journal of sport science (2024)

European Journal of Sport Science

CM resulted in better RSP compared to PLA, as indicated by a lower sprint performance decrement (Sdec: CM, 4.68% ± 1.82% vs.
PLA, 6.10% ± 1.83%; p = 0.03; ES = 0.77), which was possibly influenced by the fastest sprint time being faster in CM (CM, 8.16 ± 0.34 s vs.
PLA, 8.29 ± 0.39 s; p = 0.011; ES = 0.34).

RCTn=13

DOI

Effects of two pre-workout supplements on concentric and eccentric force production during lower body resistance exercise in males and females: a counterbalanced, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Tinsley GM et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2017)

As compared to placebo, caffeinated and non-caffeinated multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements failed to improve concentric and eccentric force production.

Energy (+8 to 44%; d = 0.3 to 0.8) and focus (+8 to 25%; d = 0.3 to 0.5) were acutely increased by supplement or placebo ingestion and decreased as the exercise session progressed.
Fatigue was acutely decreased by supplement or placebo ingestion (-7 to 38%; d = -0.1 to -0.6) and increased as the exercise session progressed.
Effect size data indicated that both the caffeinated and non-caffeinated supplements may contribute to small increases in concentric force production in males (+5 to 20%, d = 0.2 to 0.4 relative to placebo), but not females.

RCTn=21

DOI

Acute Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping After Exercise in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Domingues V et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2024)

The study found no significant changes in the post-exercise nocturnal blood pressure dip following a single dose of CM supplementation.

The study found no significant changes in the post-exercise nocturnal blood pressure dip following a single dose of CM supplementation.
However, a notable reduction in diastolic blood pressure was observed during the waking period and over the average 24-h monitoring period.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=20

DOI

Acute Citrulline-Malate Supplementation Increases Total Work in Short Lower-Body Isokinetic Tasks for Recreationally Active Females During Menstruation

Gills JL et al. • Journal of strength and conditioning research (2023)

Additional research is needed to identify timing efficacy of CM to increase sport performance during each phase of the menstrual cycle.

Nineteen women (23.5 ± 3.1 years; 164.8 ± 7.0 cm; 61.9 ± 27.4 kg; 28.8 ± 8.1% body fat) completed 2 randomized, double-blind, crossover trials consuming CM (8 g CM + 12 g dextrose) or placebo (12 g dextrose).
No significant differences were identified between trials for peak torque production ( p = 0.69 ) or total work ( p = 0.33) completed during the 50RP.
CM increased total work completed during the 5RP, but provided no ergogenic benefit during the 50RP in recreationally active menstruating women.

RCTn=19

DOI

Acute Oral Ingestion of a Multi-ingredient Preworkout Supplement Increases Exercise Performance and Alters Postexercise Hormone Responses: A Randomized Crossover, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Schwarz NA , PhD et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2020)

No differences in human growth hormone (HGH) or serum cortisol responses were observed between trials.

Ten resistance-trained males participated in two exercise testing sessions consisting of the vertical jump (VJ), seated medicine ball throw (SMBT), and local muscular endurance tests for the bench press (BP) and leg extension (LE) exercises at 70% of one-repetition maximum.
Serum IGF-1 was significantly increased at both 30 PS (p = .004) and 30PX (p = .038) compared with BL for the BMB trial only.
In conclusion, acute ingestion of BMB increased lower-body power and endurance as measured by the VJ and LE repetition tests, respectively, without altering hemodynamics.

Crossovern=10

DOI

Effects of Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplement and Caffeine on Bench Press Performance: A Single-Blind Cross-Over Study

Kruszewski M et al. • Nutrients (2022)

These results indicate that MIPS supplementation is less ergogenic and cost effective than caffeine alone.

In a cross-over manner, they participated in two sessions where they were blinded to the order of supplementation they were given: either a MIPS including caffeine or caffeine alone.
They completed the bench press strength endurance test with pre- and post-training psychological assessments containing FS, FAS and sRPE.
Bench press repetition volume was greater after anhydrous caffeine than MIPS supplementation with no difference in psychological measures.

Crossovern=15

DOI

Acute citrulline-malate supplementation is ineffective during aerobic cycling and subsequent anaerobic performance in recreationally active males

Gills JL et al. • European journal of sport science (2021)

Conclusion: Acute CM supplementation in recreationally active males provides no ergogenic benefit in aerobic cycling performance followed by an anaerobic cycling test.

Repeated-measures ANOVA results indicated a significant effect between each 5 s interval (p < 0.001), but no differences were observed between trials (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Acute CM supplementation in recreationally active males provides no ergogenic benefit in aerobic cycling performance followed by an anaerobic cycling test.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=28

DOI

The Effect of Acute Pre-Workout Supplement Ingestion on Basketball-Specific Performance of Well-Trained Athletes

Douligeris A et al. • Nutrients (2023)

Thus, although players' alactic and lactic anaerobic performance could be improved, peak power, sprinting and aerobic performance are not.

Thirty players (age 18-31 years, height 166-195 cm, weight 70.2-116.7 kg, body fat 10.6-26.4%) were allocated to pre-workout (PWS, n = 15) or placebo (PL, n = 15) groups.
Half of the participants in each group performed the evaluations without PWS or PL, while the rest consumed PWS or PL 30 min before the assessments (1st trial) and vice versa (2nd trial).
No differences were found regarding sprinting, aerobic performance, and blood lactate concentrations.

RCTn=15

DOI

Acute effects of Nitrosigine® and citrulline malate on vasodilation in young adults

Rogers JM et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2020)

Nitrosigine (23%) and CM (25%) generated significantly greater allometric scaled FMD values when compared to the placebo trial (0.60%).

After supplementation, Nitrosigine and CM increased FMD by 31 and 34%, respectively, compared to a decrease of 2% during the placebo trial.
Nitrosigine (23%) and CM (25%) generated significantly greater allometric scaled FMD values when compared to the placebo trial (0.60%).
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=24

DOI

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