Citrulline Supplementation Combined With Exercise: Effect on Muscle Function in Elderly People (CITEX Study)

Citrulline is a non-protein amino acid, isolated from watermelon, involved in the urea cycle and an arginine precursor. Participants will take 10g/d of citrulline or placebo (isocaloric).

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a high intensity aerobic training (30 sec at 85% and up of HRmax + 1min30 at 65-70% of HRmax). they HIIT duration is 30 min/session. HIIT is recognized as beneficial to improve health in human such as Vo2max, body fat or .

Then intervention will be follow during 12 consecutive weeks.

Inclusion criteria

• autonomous (being able to follow the exercise program) and without cognitive impairment (MOCA test ≥21) ;
• obese status (BMI between 30 and 40 kg / m2 or a waist circumference greater than 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women or fat mass (%; total or androïd or gynoïd) equal or superior to 27% in men and 40% in women;
• stable weight (± 5 kg) for 6 months;
• non-smoking and moderate drinkers (max: 15 g/day of alcohol) ;
• without stroke or history of stroke ;
• sedentary (less than 2 hours of structured physical activity per week);
• not being involved in a vigorous exercise program for at least 12 months;
• can understand French
• postmenopausal women (without menses since 60 consecutively months).

Exclusion criteria

• to have a metal implant (pacemaker);
• asthma requiring oral steroid treatment;
• taking other medication that could affect metabolism or cardiovascular function;
• taking anticoagulant medication.
• taking hormonal-replacement therapy (only for women)