Premium
The effect of l ‐arginine administration on muscle force and power in postmenopausal women
Author(s) -
Fricke Oliver,
Baecker Natalie,
Heer Martina,
Tutlewski Baerbel,
Schoenau Eckhard
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-097x.2008.00809.x
Subject(s) - medicine , arginine , isometric exercise , placebo , endocrinology , nitric oxide , bone resorption , skeletal muscle , amino acid , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Previously published data ( J Bone Miner Res (2005); 20: 471) did not give evidence that the administration of the nitric oxide precursor l ‐arginine increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption in postmenopausal women. Data of this trial were reanalysed for putative effects of l ‐arginine on muscle mass and muscular function. Therefore, 11 females of the former study group ( n = 15; age 54·5 ± 4·1 years; daily oral administration of 18 g l ‐arginine hydrochloride (equivalent of 14·2 g l ‐arginine) over 6 months) and 12 females of the control group ( n = 15; age 55·3 ± 4·4 years; daily administration of 18 g dextrose over 6 months) were analysed for biomechanical parameters (MIGF, maximal isometric grip force; PJF, peak jump force; PJP, peak jump power) and for the cross‐sectional muscle area (MA) and fat area (FA) at forearm and leg (calf) measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. The study was performed in a double‐blind design. The assessment of muscular and biomechanical parameters was undertaken before and after 6 months of l ‐arginine versus placebo administration. l ‐arginine‐supplemented females had a significant increase of PJF/kg in comparison with the control group. PJP/kg, MIGF, MA and FA were not significantly influenced by the administration of l ‐arginine. In conclusion, the administration of l ‐arginine increased maximal force in mechanographic analyses and may prevent a decline of muscle force in postmenopausal women.