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High intensity interval training combined with L-citrulline supplementation: Effects on physical performance in healthy older adults.

  • 2020-10
  • Experimental gerontology 140
    • Buckinx F
    • Carvalho L P
    • Marcangeli V
    • Dulac M
    • Hajj Boutros G
    • Gouspillou G
    • Gaudreau P
    • Noirez P
    • Aubertin-Leheudre M

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 23
Population
44 non-obese sedentary older adults (aged over 65 yrs) who completed the intervention
Methods
Double-blind randomized trial, secondary analysis; 10 g citrulline supplementation/day or placebo plus HIIT sessions 3 times per week for 12 weeks
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
12 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of citrulline (CIT) supplementation combined to high intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical performance in healthy older adults.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis from a double-blind, randomized trial. Among the participants (sedentary & inactive older adults aged over 65 yrs), 44 were non obese (BMI <30 kg/m2) and completed the intervention: Placebo + HIIT (PLA; n = 21) or CIT + HIIT (n = 23). All participants ingested either 10 g of CIT supplementation/day or placebo and followed HIIT sessions (30 min/session; cycle: 30 s > 85% of maximal heart rate (HR) and Borg scale >17/20 + 1:50 min at 65% HR and Borg scale between 13 and 16) on an elliptical device 3 times per week over a 12-week period. Body composition, muscle strength, muscle power, functional capacities (unipodal balance; self-paced and fast Timed Up and Go (nTUG; fTUG); chair test; step tests; 4-meter walking test; 6-minute walking test); dietary intake, energy expenditure and biological markers were measured pre and post-intervention. A repeated-measure analysis of variance was used to estimate time (HIIT intervention), group (PLA vs. CIT) and time*group effects.

Results

The decrease in BMI (p = 0.02) and android fat mass (p = 0.05) were significantly greater in the HIIT+CIT group than in the HIIT+PLA group. Finally, a greater increase in self-paced gait speed (nTUG) (p = 0.02) and fast-paced gait speed (fTUG) (p = 0.03) were also observed in the HIIT+CIT group than in the HIIT+PLA group.

Conclusion

CIT supplementation combined to HIIT is more effective in improving functional capacities and body composition in healthy older adults than HIIT alone.

Research Insights

  • L-Citrulline→Improved Fast-Paced Gait Speed

    fast-paced gait speed (fTUG) (p = 0.03) were also observed in the HIIT+CIT group than in the HIIT+PLA group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    10 g/day
  • L-Citrulline→Improved Gait Speed

    a greater increase in self-paced gait speed (nTUG) (p = 0.02) ... were also observed in the HIIT+CIT group than in the HIIT+PLA group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    10 g/day
  • L-Citrulline→Reduced Body Mass Index

    The decrease in BMI (p = 0.02) ... were significantly greater in the HIIT+CIT group than in the HIIT+PLA group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    10 g/day
  • L-Citrulline→Reduced Visceral Fat

    The decrease in ... android fat mass (p = 0.05) were significantly greater in the HIIT+CIT group than in the HIIT+PLA group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    10 g/day
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