Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

One of the most significant changes associated with normal aging is a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength resulting in a loss of functional capacity and autonomy. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), and Citrulline supplementation (CIT) represent promising interventions to attenuate the effect of aging on muscle function. The aim of this study was to assess the combined effects of CIT and HIIT on body composition and muscle strength in inactive obese older adults. Thirty nine men and 36 women underwent a 12-week elliptical HIIT program and randomly and double-blindly divided into the 4 following groups: 1) 18 men exposed to HIIT+CIT; 2) 19 women exposed to HIIT+CIT; 3) 21 men exposed to HIIT+Placebo (PLA); and 4) 17 women exposed to HIIT+PLA. Body composition, muscle strength were measured pre- and post-intervention. At baseline, no difference for all variables between men in HIIT+CIT vs HIIT+PLA and women in HIIT+CIT vs HIIT+PLA were observed. Following the HIIT intervention, total fat was further decreased in CIT in men. In Women, total lean mass was further increased in CIT following the HIIT intervention. Handgrip and knee extension muscle strength improved in all groups but additional effect of CIT couldn't be evidenced. Combining CIT and HIIT significantly improved body composition in elderly obese individuals. These effects appeared to be sex specific, since CIT in men resulted in a decrease in adiposity while increased muscle mass in women.