Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
10.22080/jaep.2025.29045.2222
Abstract
Objectives: The sympato-adrenal system is activated in response to various stressors, including exercise, with the degree of activation dependent on both training characteristics and nutritional intake. The present study aimed to determine the acute effects of L-citrulline supplementation on catecholamine and cortisol responses to high-intensity interval resistance training [HIIRE] in trained men. Methods: This study employed a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled design with nine healthy trained men (age: 21.41 ± 1.13 yr, weight: 79.50 ± 9.35 kg, body fat: 10.67 ± 1.52%). Participants were randomly assigned to two trials, L-citrulline (12 g) supplementation or placebo (12 g maltodextrin) dissolved in 200ml water separated by a one-week washout period, combined with an HIIRE protocol (using a 16 kg kettlebell). The HIIRT protocol consisted of 12 minutes including 30:30 sec work/rest intervals with a 1:1 sec eccentric/concentric swing tempo. Blood samples were collected at 3, 10, and 30-minutes post-exercise to measure serum epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol levels. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests (p ≤ 0.05). Results: L-citrulline supplementation significantly increased cortisol (p = 0.02), epinephrine (p = 0.001), and norepinephrine (p = 0.001) 3 minutes after HIIRE compared to before that. Epinephrine (p = 0.001) and norepinephrine (p = 0.001) levels were significantly lower 3 minutes after HIIRE in the supplementation condition. Conclusion: Acute L-citrulline supplementation before exercise reduces catecholamine and cortisol levels up to 30 minutes following high-intensity interval resistance training in trained young men.
Khodabandehloo, F. , Damirchi, A. , & Mehrabani, J. (2025). Response of Catecholamines and Cortisol to the High Intensity Interval Resistance Exercise (HIIRE) after L-Citrulline Supplementation in Trained Men. Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology, 21(41), 27-39. doi: 10.22080/jaep.2025.29045.2222
MLA
Fatemeh Khodabandehloo; Arsalan Damirchi; Javad Mehrabani. "Response of Catecholamines and Cortisol to the High Intensity Interval Resistance Exercise (HIIRE) after L-Citrulline Supplementation in Trained Men", Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology, 21, 41, 2025, 27-39. doi: 10.22080/jaep.2025.29045.2222
HARVARD
Khodabandehloo, F., Damirchi, A., Mehrabani, J. (2025). 'Response of Catecholamines and Cortisol to the High Intensity Interval Resistance Exercise (HIIRE) after L-Citrulline Supplementation in Trained Men', Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology, 21(41), pp. 27-39. doi: 10.22080/jaep.2025.29045.2222
CHICAGO
F. Khodabandehloo , A. Damirchi and J. Mehrabani, "Response of Catecholamines and Cortisol to the High Intensity Interval Resistance Exercise (HIIRE) after L-Citrulline Supplementation in Trained Men," Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology, 21 41 (2025): 27-39, doi: 10.22080/jaep.2025.29045.2222
VANCOUVER
Khodabandehloo, F., Damirchi, A., Mehrabani, J. Response of Catecholamines and Cortisol to the High Intensity Interval Resistance Exercise (HIIRE) after L-Citrulline Supplementation in Trained Men. Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology, 2025; 21(41): 27-39. doi: 10.22080/jaep.2025.29045.2222
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