topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claimBased on these mechanisms, CM ingestion is potentially well suited to resistance exercise performance on the premise that these mechanisms would lead to increased training output, and this could increase the potential strength and/or power improvements from training.
evidence level2
citationGough Lewis A. (2026)
sourceThe Comparative Effect of Acute Moderate- and High-Dose Citrulline Malate on Resistance Exercise Performance in Trained Individuals: A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial
topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claimThese collection of studies have reported improvements in the number of repetitions performed to failure, a reduced rate of perceived exertion and/or delayed-onset muscle soreness.
evidence level2
citationGough Lewis A. (2026)
sourceThe Comparative Effect of Acute Moderate- and High-Dose Citrulline Malate on Resistance Exercise Performance in Trained Individuals: A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial
topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claimFor example, Pérez -Guisado and Jakeman (2010) [] reported total reps during four sets to failure (at 80% 1RM) were improved significantly following ingestion of 8 g CM.
evidence level2
citationGough Lewis A. (2026)
sourceThe Comparative Effect of Acute Moderate- and High-Dose Citrulline Malate on Resistance Exercise Performance in Trained Individuals: A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial
topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claim1 2 3 4 Citrulline malate (CM) is an inorganic salt synthesised from the non-essential amino acid L-citrulline and the tricarboxylic cycle intermediate malate.
evidence level2
citationGough Lewis A. (2026)
sourceThe Comparative Effect of Acute Moderate- and High-Dose Citrulline Malate on Resistance Exercise Performance in Trained Individuals: A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial
topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claim1 2 3 4 2 5 6 L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that is found primarily in watermelons, cucumbers, and other melons [].
evidence level4
citationGonzalez Adam M. (2023)
sourceAcute Effect of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Recreationally Resistance Trained Men and Women
topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claimFor this reason, L-citrulline has garnered much attention as a potential performance-enhancing dietary supplement over the last decade [], and it is currently among the most popular ingredients found in commercially available multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, which are designed to improve exercise performance [].
evidence level4
citationGonzalez Adam M. (2023)
sourceAcute Effect of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Recreationally Resistance Trained Men and Women
topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claimMalate is an intermediate of the citric acid cycle that has been postulated to work synergistically with L-citrulline by upregulating oxidative ATP production during exercise, yet this lacks experimental evidence [].
evidence level4
citationGonzalez Adam M. (2023)
sourceAcute Effect of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Recreationally Resistance Trained Men and Women
topicCitrulline Resistance Exercise Performance Meta-Analysis
claimDue to its ability to be converted to L-arginine via the urea cycle, L-citrulline serves as a nitric oxide (NO) precursor with the potential to increase blood flow and augment resistance exercise performance [].
evidence level4
citationGonzalez Adam M. (2023)
sourceAcute Effect of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Recreationally Resistance Trained Men and Women