The Claim

L-citrulline supplementation at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/day for 10 days has no statistically significant effect on rating of perceived exertion during high-intensity cycling to exhaustion in healthy young adults.

Source: Ergogenic effects of a 10-day L-citrulline supplementation on time to exhaustion and cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses in healthy individuals: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
67score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking 100 mg of L-citrulline per kilogram of body weight daily for 10 days does not change how hard people feel they are working during intense cycling until exhaustion.

See the scientific wording

L-citrulline supplementation at 100 mg/kg/day for 10 days does not significantly alter rating of perceived exertion during high-intensity cycling to exhaustion in healthy young adults.

Why this might work

L-citrulline is converted into arginine, which the body uses to make nitric oxide, a molecule that widens blood vessels and increases blood flow to muscles. Even though this improves oxygen delivery, it does not change how hard the person feels the exercise is during intense cycling to exhaustion.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Ergogenic effects of a 10-day L-citrulline supplementation on time to exhaustion and cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses in healthy individuals: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial

    This study gave people L-citrulline pills for 10 days and had them ride a stationary bike until they were exhausted. They asked how hard it felt, and the people who took the supplement felt just as tired as those who took a sugar pill—so the supplement didn’t make cycling feel easier or harder.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.