Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nitric oxide related ergogenic aids such as arginine (Arg) have shown to impact positively on sport performance through several physiological and metabolic mechanisms. However, research results have shown to be controversial. The great differences regarding required metabolic pathways and physiologi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-05-01
|
| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/5/1300 |
| _version_ | 1797568999179943936 |
|---|---|
| author | Aitor Viribay José Burgos Julen Fernández-Landa Jesús Seco-Calvo Juan Mielgo-Ayuso |
| author_facet | Aitor Viribay José Burgos Julen Fernández-Landa Jesús Seco-Calvo Juan Mielgo-Ayuso |
| author_sort | Aitor Viribay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nitric oxide related ergogenic aids such as arginine (Arg) have shown to impact positively on sport performance through several physiological and metabolic mechanisms. However, research results have shown to be controversial. The great differences regarding required metabolic pathways and physiological demands between aerobic and anaerobic sport disciplines could be the reasons. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of Arg supplementation on aerobic (≤VO<sub>2</sub>max) and anaerobic (>VO<sub>2</sub>max) performance. Likewise, to show the effective dose and timing of this supplementation. A structured search was carried out in accordance with PRISMA<sup>®</sup> (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and PICOS guidelines in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus databases from inception to January 2020. Eighteen studies were included which compare Arg supplementation with placebo in an identical situation and testing its effects on aerobic and anaerobic performance tests. Trials analyzing supplementation with other supplements were removed and there was not athlete’s level, gender, ethnicity, or age filters. The performed meta-analysis included 15 studies and random effects model and pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) were used according to Hedges’ g. Results revealed that Arg supplementation could improve aerobic (SMD, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.56; magnitude of SMD (MSMD), large; I2, 89%; <i>p</i> = 0.02) and anaerobic (SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.43; MSMD, small; I2, 0%; <i>p</i> = 0.01) performance tests. In conclusion, acute Arg supplementation protocols to improve aerobic and anaerobic performance should be adjusted to 0.15 g/kg of body weight ingested between 60–90 min before. Moreover, chronic Arg supplementation should include 1.5–2 g/day for 4–7 weeks in order to improve aerobic performance, and 10–12 g/day for 8 weeks to enhance anaerobic performance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:04:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ab519c4070624275bd62e271466a5178 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:04:43Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-ab519c4070624275bd62e271466a51782023-11-19T23:20:49ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432020-05-01125130010.3390/nu12051300Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAitor Viribay0José Burgos1Julen Fernández-Landa2Jesús Seco-Calvo3Juan Mielgo-Ayuso4Glut4Science, Physiology, Nutrition and Sport, 01004 Vitoria-Gasteiz, SpainDepartment of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of León, 24071 León, SpainDepartment of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of León, 24071 León, SpainInstitute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Physiotherapy Department, University of Leon, Researcher of Basque Country University, Campus de Vegazana, 24071 Leon, SpainDepartment of Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Valladolid, 42004 Soria, SpainNitric oxide related ergogenic aids such as arginine (Arg) have shown to impact positively on sport performance through several physiological and metabolic mechanisms. However, research results have shown to be controversial. The great differences regarding required metabolic pathways and physiological demands between aerobic and anaerobic sport disciplines could be the reasons. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of Arg supplementation on aerobic (≤VO<sub>2</sub>max) and anaerobic (>VO<sub>2</sub>max) performance. Likewise, to show the effective dose and timing of this supplementation. A structured search was carried out in accordance with PRISMA<sup>®</sup> (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and PICOS guidelines in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus databases from inception to January 2020. Eighteen studies were included which compare Arg supplementation with placebo in an identical situation and testing its effects on aerobic and anaerobic performance tests. Trials analyzing supplementation with other supplements were removed and there was not athlete’s level, gender, ethnicity, or age filters. The performed meta-analysis included 15 studies and random effects model and pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) were used according to Hedges’ g. Results revealed that Arg supplementation could improve aerobic (SMD, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.56; magnitude of SMD (MSMD), large; I2, 89%; <i>p</i> = 0.02) and anaerobic (SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.43; MSMD, small; I2, 0%; <i>p</i> = 0.01) performance tests. In conclusion, acute Arg supplementation protocols to improve aerobic and anaerobic performance should be adjusted to 0.15 g/kg of body weight ingested between 60–90 min before. Moreover, chronic Arg supplementation should include 1.5–2 g/day for 4–7 weeks in order to improve aerobic performance, and 10–12 g/day for 8 weeks to enhance anaerobic performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/5/1300aminoacidsergogenic aidsphysical performancenitric oxideaerobicanaerobic |
| spellingShingle | Aitor Viribay José Burgos Julen Fernández-Landa Jesús Seco-Calvo Juan Mielgo-Ayuso Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Nutrients aminoacids ergogenic aids physical performance nitric oxide aerobic anaerobic |
| title | Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | effects of arginine supplementation on athletic performance based on energy metabolism a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | aminoacids ergogenic aids physical performance nitric oxide aerobic anaerobic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/5/1300 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT aitorviribay effectsofargininesupplementationonathleticperformancebasedonenergymetabolismasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT joseburgos effectsofargininesupplementationonathleticperformancebasedonenergymetabolismasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT julenfernandezlanda effectsofargininesupplementationonathleticperformancebasedonenergymetabolismasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT jesussecocalvo effectsofargininesupplementationonathleticperformancebasedonenergymetabolismasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT juanmielgoayuso effectsofargininesupplementationonathleticperformancebasedonenergymetabolismasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis |