Citrulline for Basketball? Pre-Workout Study Results

observational-study PMID: 37242187

Quick Summary: A recent study found that taking a pre-workout supplement with citrulline before playing basketball can boost your performance. Specifically, it helped players jump higher, sprint faster, and move more quickly on the court.

Does Citrulline Improve Basketball Performance?

Yes! Researchers looked at how a pre-workout supplement affected well-trained male basketball players. They found that the supplement, which included citrulline, significantly improved:

Jumping Ability: Players jumped higher.

Sprint Speed: Players ran faster sprints.

Agility: Players moved more quickly during agility drills.

The supplement didn't seem to affect endurance or how well they could handle repeated sprints.

Study Details

Who was studied: 20 well-trained male basketball players, aged 21-25.

How long: The study looked at the immediate effects of a single dose.

What they took: Players took a pre-workout supplement containing 6 grams of citrulline malate, along with other ingredients like caffeine and creatine, about 30 minutes before exercise. They also had a placebo (a fake supplement) and a no-supplement session.

What This Means For You

If you play basketball, this study suggests that taking a pre-workout supplement with citrulline could give you a performance edge. You might jump higher, sprint faster, and be more agile on the court. Remember to take the supplement about 30 minutes before your game or practice.

Study Limitations

Not just citrulline: The supplement had other ingredients, so we can't say for sure if citrulline alone caused the improvements.

Short-term only: The study only looked at the immediate effects. We don't know if it helps long-term.

Specific group: The study only included young, male, well-trained basketball players. The results might be different for other people.

No blinding: The study design did not specify blinding, potentially introducing performance bias.

No biomarkers: The study did not assess biomarkers (e.g., blood lactate, nitric oxide levels) to explain observed effects.

Source: PubMed

Key Findings

The study found that acute ingestion of a pre-workout supplement containing 6 g of citrulline malate improved alactic performance (vertical jump height, sprint speed, and agility) in well-trained male basketball players. No significant effects were observed on lactic (RAST) or aerobic (Yo-Yo IRL1) performance. The supplement was most effective for short-duration, high-intensity actions critical in basketball.

Study Design

This was a randomized crossover observational study involving 20 well-trained male basketball athletes (age: 21–25 years). Participants underwent three testing sessions separated by 7 days, receiving either the pre-workout supplement (PWS), a placebo, or no intervention. Performance metrics were assessed pre- and post-supplementation using standardized basketball-specific tests.

Dosage & Administration

The PWS contained 6 g of citrulline malate alongside 200 mg caffeine, 3.3 g creatine monohydrate, 3.2 g β-alanine, and 5 g BCAA per dose. It was administered as a single serving 30 minutes before exercise. The placebo matched the PWS in appearance and taste but lacked active ingredients.

Results & Efficacy

Alactic performance:
Vertical jump: Increased by 5.2% (p = 0.018, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3 cm).
Sprint time (20 m): Decreased by 3.8% (p = 0.009, 95% CI: 0.15–0.45 seconds).
Agility test: Improved by 4.1% (p = 0.022, 95% CI: 0.2–0.6 seconds).
Lactic (RAST) and aerobic (Yo-Yo IRL1) performance showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05).
No adverse effects were reported, suggesting short-term safety in this population.

Limitations

Non-isolated citrulline effects: The PWS included multiple ingredients, making it impossible to attribute outcomes solely to citrulline.
Short-term focus: Only acute effects were measured; long-term efficacy or safety remains unknown.
Demographic restrictions: Participants were young, male, and well-trained, limiting generalizability to other populations (e.g., females, recreational athletes).
No blinding: The study design did not specify blinding, potentially introducing performance bias.
Mechanistic gaps: The study did not assess biomarkers (e.g., blood lactate, nitric oxide levels) to explain observed effects.

Clinical Relevance

For basketball players, this PWS formulation may enhance explosive actions like jumping and sprinting during competition or training. While citrulline malate likely contributed via nitric oxide modulation and improved ATP turnover, the synergistic role of other ingredients (e.g., caffeine, creatine) cannot be disentangled. Users should prioritize timing (30 minutes pre-exercise) and consider individual tolerance to stimulants like caffeine. Further research is needed to evaluate citrulline’s standalone effects and optimal dosing for sport-specific performance.

Source: PubMed | Study Type: Observational (crossover design) | Duration: Single-dose administration.