Effects of oral L-arginine supplementation on post-resistance exercise hypotension in normotensive individuals: a double-blind and crossover study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.31e0443Keywords:
Blood pressure, Ergogenic aids, Nitric oxide, Strength exerciseAbstract
Introduction: L-arginine (L-Arg) is an essential precursor for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and promotes hypotensive effects. However, evidence is limited regarding its role in enhancing post-exercise hypotension (PEH), particularly following resistance exercise (RE) in normotensive individuals, as existing research favors aerobic exercise. Objective: This study investigated whether oral L-Arg supplementation could potentiate PEH after a single RE session in 12 recreationally active, normotensive males. Methods: Participants received 6 g of L-Arg or a placebo at the end of the RE protocol (60% 1RM, 3 sets of 12 repetitions) and 30 min post-RE, with blood pressure (BP) monitored for 60 minutes in two sessions. Statistical analyses utilized repeated-measures ANOVA, Tukey post hoc, and Student’s t-test (p < 0.05). Results: Participants at baseline [26.5 ± 4.98 years; 22.8 ± 1.80 kg/m2; systolic and diastolic blood pressure 106 ± 5 and 69 ± 9 mmHg, respectively]. The change in BP in the L-Arg condition was significantly greater than in the placebo session at 45 and 60 minutes post-RE (p < 0.05). L-Arg supplementation achieved peak reductions of 21.5 ± 8.3 mmHg in systolic BP, 11.3 ± 7.2 mmHg in diastolic BP, and 18.1 ± 8.7 mmHg in mean BP (p < 0.05). Plasma NO concentration was significantly higher 60 minutes post-RE in the L-Arg session (Pre: 15.3 ± 1.2 vs. Post: 24.6 ± 3.5 µM/L, p < 0.05) compared to the placebo session (Pre: 15.9 ± 3.2 vs. Post: 14.9 ± 0.4 µM/L, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The L-Arg supplementation successfully potentiated PEH following RE in normotensive subjects, suggesting its potential as a non-pharmacological intervention for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, likely mediated by increased NO bioavailability.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Pedro Marques Almeida, Thiago dos Santos Rosa, Deocleciano Ferreira Rios-Neto, Douglas Araujo Vargas, Jessica Mycaelle da Silva Barbosa, Taynah Oliveira Martins, Michel Kendy Souza, Rodrigo Vanerson Passos Neves, Reury Frank Pereira Bacurau, Marcelo Saldanha Aoki, Ronaldo Carvalho Araujo, Hugo de Luca Correa, Alexandre Sérgio Silva, Thomas Caique Cabral Rocha Moraes, Milton Rocha Moraes
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