Abstract

Background

There is growing interest in the use of nutrition and dietary supplements to optimize training and time-trial (TT) performance in cyclists. Separately, quercetin (QCT) and citrulline (CIT) have been used as ergogenic aids to improve oxygen (VO2) kinetics, perceived effort, and cycling TT performance. However, whether the combination of QCT and CIT can provide additive benefits and further enhance cycling performance production is currently unknown.

Methods

We examined 28-days of QCT + CIT supplementation on TT performance and several performance measures (i.e. mean power, VO2, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE)). Forty-eight highly trained cyclists were assigned to one of four supplementation groups: (1) QCT + CIT (QCT: 500 mg, CIT: 3000 g), (2) QCT (500 mg), (3) CIT (3000 mg), or (4) placebo (3500 mg of a zero-calorie flavored crystal light package). Supplements were consumed two times per day for 28 consecutive days. Participants performed a 20-km cycling time-trial race, pre- and post-supplementation to determine the impact of the combined effects of QCT + CIT.

Results

There were no potential benefits of QCT +CIT supplementation on TT performance and several performance measures. However, there was an improvement in VO2 from pre-to-post-supplementation in QCT (p  = 0.05) and CIT (p  = 0.04) groups, but not in the QCT+CIT and PL groups.

Conclusions

QCT + CIT does not seem beneficial for 20-km TT performance; further exploration with a focus on an increase in cycling duration or QCT+CIT combined with additional polyphenols may amplify any perceived bioactive or metabolic effects on cycling performance. The efficacy of QCT + CIT supplementation to improve cycling performance remains ambiguous.

Details

Title
The effect of quercetin and citrulline on cycling time trial performance
Author
Kurtz, Jennifer A 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Grazer, Jacob 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Wilson, Kathryn 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Feresin, Rafaela G 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Doyle, J Andrew 5 ; Middleton, Ryan 5 ; Devis, Emma 6 ; VanDusseldorp, Trisha A 7   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Fasczewski, Kimberly 8 ; Otis, Jeff 5 

1  Appalachian State University, Department of Public Health & Exercise Science, Boone, NC, USA; Georgia State University, Department of Kinesiology & Health, Atlanta, GA, USA 
2  Kennesaw State University, Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management, Kennesaw, GA, USA 
3  Georgia State University, Department of Kinesiology & Health, Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia State University, Center for the Study of Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Atlanta, Georgia 
4  Georgia State University, Department of Nutrition, Atlanta, GA, USA 
5  Georgia State University, Department of Kinesiology & Health, Atlanta, GA, USA 
6  University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Coral Gables, FL, USA 
7  LLC p/b JDS Therapeutics, Bonafide Health, Harrison, NY, USA 
8  Appalachian State University, Department of Public Health & Exercise Science, Boone, NC, USA 
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Dec 2024
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
e-ISSN
1550-2783
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2024.2416909
ProQuest document ID
3143581215
Copyright
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.