Hemodynamic and Lactate Response to Exhaustive Exercise with L-Arginine Supplementation

Introduction: To further understand the effects of L-arginine on both its ability to enhance lactate clearance and increase overall blood flow before, during, and after exhaustive anaerobic exercise. Methods:  Twelve healthy male subjects between the ages of 18-25 first completed an initial visit where baseline data was recorded. Subjects completed three additional visits, in which they ingested either a placebo, two-gram or four-gram dose of L-arginine. Blood flow (BF) and lactate were recorded before ingestion of the treatment, 5 and 15-minutes post-ingestion prior to performing a push-up test to volitional fatigue.  Immediately following the push-up test, BF and lactate were assessed and again 15-minutes post exercise. Results: Blood lactate did not differ across condition (p=0.569).  Lactate clearance was not influenced by L-arginine when analyzing the Area Under Curve.  Blood flow increased with ingestion of the four-gram dose while at rest (the 15-minute mark).  Blood flow was also enhanced in the four-gram dose immediately after exercise at the 25-minute mark.  Conclusions: The data suggests that a four-gram dose of L-arginine plays a more significant role in blood flow than the clearance of lactate after exercise compared to a two-gram dose or placebo.