Written by Joyce Smith, BS. In this study of 50 college-aged healthy men, those who took 1.5 g or 3 g of arginine plus  300 mg of grape seed extract significantly increased their physical working capacity by 22.4% and 18.8% respectively while there was  no change for the placebo group (-1.6%).

Arginine is an essential amino acid that helps remove excess ammonia from the body. Most significantly, arginine is the precursor of nitric acid (NO) and plays an important role in blood vessel dilation. (1, 2, 3) Studies have also shown grape seed extract to be an ergogenic aid that improves blood vessel dilation through increased production of NO (4).

Previous studies have shown that arginine supplementation does improve vascular function and exercise capacity and performance in patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases (5, 6, 7, 8,).

Researchers postulate that arginine supplementation increases blood flow to the heart and skeletal muscles and enhances exercise endurance in healthy, untrained populations.

The intent of this study was to determine the effects of a 4-week arginine supplementation on the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWC FH).

This was a double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel designed study involving 50 college aged healthy men who were untrained in aerobic exercise and participated in 4 or less hours of recreational activity per week. They were randomized into 1 of 3 groups that received the following supplementation daily for 4 weeks:

  • microcrystalline cellulose placebo (n=19)
  • 1.5 g arginine plus 300 mg of grape seed extract (n=14)
  • 3 g arginine plus 300 mg of grape seed extract (n=17)

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a water-soluble polymer, was also used to enhance arginine absorption and utilization in the body.

Participants were then tested using the PWCFT test. This test measures the highest power output that can be sustained for an extended period of time without neuromuscular evidence of fatigue. All 50 subjects performed this increment test to exhaustion on an electronically braked cycle ergometer to determine their PWC values before supplementation with arginine/grape seed (PRE) and after 4 weeks of arginine/grape seed supplementation (POST).

There were significant mean increases in PWC for the groups with 1.5 g (22.4%), and 3 g (18.8%) of arginine supplementation, but no change for the placebo group (-1.6%).

Number of subjectsArginineGrape seed extractPolyethylene glycolMicrocrystalline Cellulose% Increase in POST PWC *
n=141.5 g300 mg150 mg22.4
n=173 g300mg300 mg18.8
n=19Placebo-1.6

*All values for the treatment group were significant p<0.05 

Researchers attribute these significant increases in POST PWC to the following possibilities:

  • Arginine and grape seed extract may have reduced the concentration of metabolic byproducts such as lactate or ammonia
  • Arginine and grape seed extract may have increased blood flow to the heart and skeletal muscles because of decreased endothelin production and increased nitric acid synthesis.

The results from this study indicated that supplementation with arginine and grape seed extract with PEG (Polyethylene glycol) for 4 weeks delayed the onset of neuromuscular fatigue in untrained men. Also supplementing with arginine and grape seed at the dosages used in this study is a useful ergogenic aid for untrained individuals.

Source: Camic, Clayton L., et al. “Effects of arginine-based supplements on the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold.” The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24.5 (2010): 1306-1312.

© 2010 National Strength and Conditioning Association

Posted April 13, 2015.

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