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Supplement × Fitness

L-Arginine for Muscle Recovery

Conditionally essential amino acid and substrate for nitric oxide synthase; oral supplementation has been studied for effects on vascular function, blood pressure and exercise performance.

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On this pageWhat studies found Overview Evidence Community outcomes Related

What studies found

L-Arginine for Muscle Recovery

1 of 19 results reported a benefit, from 3 published studies.

3 randomised trials

1 reported a benefit
13 no clear benefit
4 unclear
1 possible harm

Muscle damage marker (CK)No clear benefit foundL-arginine supplementation did not significantly improve blood levels of creatine kinase (CK) compared with placebo; the difference versus placebo was not statistically established (72 h).2 randomised trials · no comparable figure reported0 of 2 results reported a benefit2018 study ↗
Muscle sorenessNo clear benefit foundsee exact figuresL-arginine supplementation did not significantly improve muscle soreness compared with placebo; the difference versus placebo was not statistically established (72 h).1 randomised trial2018 study ↗
Maximum repetitionsNo clear benefit foundsee exact figuresL-arginine supplementation did not significantly improve number of maximum repetitions compared with placebo; the difference versus placebo was not statistically established (72 h).1 randomised trial2018 study ↗
Perceived exertionNo clear benefit foundsee exact figuresL-arginine supplementation did not significantly improve perceived exertion compared with placebo; the difference versus placebo was not statistically established (72 h).1 randomised trial2018 study ↗

13 laboratory markers also measured

Plasma L-arginine · lab marker120%increase1 randomised trial2014 study ↗
Blood lactate · lab markerNo clear benefit foundL-arginine supplementation did not significantly improve blood levels of lactate compared with placebo; the difference versus placebo was not statistically established (72 h).2 randomised trials · no comparable figure reported0 of 2 results reported a benefit2018 study ↗
Blood ammonia · lab markerNo clear benefit foundmeasurement not reportedArginine did not significantly improve Ammonia levels compared with placebo in Twelve.1 randomised trial2009 study ↗
Blood glucose · lab markerUnclear resultmeasurement not reportedArginine showed an unclear effect on Glucose concentration compared with placebo in Twelve.1 randomised trial2009 study ↗
Blood glycerol · lab markerNo clear benefit foundmeasurement not reportedArginine did not significantly improve Glycerol levels compared with placebo in Twelve.

These are the figures the studies reported, not a prediction for any one person. Where several studies measured the same thing in the same unit, we show a simple average and say so. Every individual result is listed below.

See every result

Why L-Arginine for Muscle Recovery?

The connection

Post-workout soreness, muscle repair, DOMS, and recovery between training sessions.

Also known as: Arginine, L-Arginine Hydrochloride

Evidence analytics

L-Arginine × Muscle Recovery: at a glance

Every published result for this pair, extracted and audited.

These charts group published studies by what they reported and how they were run — green marks studies that reported a benefit for this pairing. Tiers run from pooled analyses of many trials (strongest) to one-off observational reports.

What the evidence shows

Direction of reported outcomes for L-Arginine in muscle recovery.

Benefit
No benefit
Harm / risk
Unclear

Evidence quality mix

Study designs behind these findings.

Randomised trial

Studies

Reviews & meta-analyses

RCT findings

Participants (where reported)

Peer-reviewed research

L-Arginine × Muscle Recovery: the evidence base

Hand-selected PubMed studies, linked to the originals.

6studies referenced

6journals

2021–2024publication range

Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.

01Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Healthy Athletes: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysesWarrier AA, et al. · Sports health · 2024PMID 37688400 ↗02Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation, Muscle Damage, Oxidative Response, and Sports Performance in Physically Healthy Adults-A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled TrialsFernández-Lázaro D, et al. · Nutrients · 2024PMID 38999792 ↗03The effects of hydrotherapy and cryotherapy on recovery from acute post-exercise induced muscle damage-a network meta-analysisChen R, et al. · BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024PMID 39294614 ↗04Effects of cold water immersion after exercise on fatigue recovery and exercise performance--meta analysisXiao F, et al. · Frontiers in physiology · 2023PMID 36744038 ↗

Community outcomes

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Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

Study results, as reported by the publications

Every measured outcome, one row per finding - numbers exactly as reported.

Study	Design	n	Duration	Outcome measured	Reported result	Direction
PMID 29544063 2018	Randomised trial	-	72 h	blood levels of creatine kinase (CK)	reported qualitatively (P > 0.05)	No benefit
PMID 29544063 2018	Randomised trial	-	72 h	blood levels of lactate	reported qualitatively (P > 0.05)	No benefit
PMID 29544063 2018	Randomised trial	-	72 h	electromyographic signal (i.e., root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) slope)	reported qualitatively (P > 0.05)	No benefit
PMID 29544063 2018	Randomised trial	-	72 h	muscle soreness	reported qualitatively (P > 0.05)	No benefit
PMID 29544063 2018	Randomised trial	-	72 h	number of maximum repetitions	reported qualitatively (P > 0.05)	No benefit
PMID 29544063 2018	Randomised trial	-	72 h	perceived exertion	reported qualitatively (P > 0.05)	No benefit
PMID 29544063 2018	Randomised trial	-	72 h	testosterone:cortisol ratio	reported qualitatively (P > 0.05)	No benefit
PMID 24225560 2014	Randomised trial	Fourteen	-	GH concentration	reported qualitatively	No benefit
PMID 24225560 2014	Randomised trial	Fourteen	-	GH-inhibiting hormone concentration	reported qualitatively	Unclear
PMID 24225560 2014	Randomised trial	Fourteen	-	Integrated area under the curve for GH	288.4 ± 368.7 (p < .05)	Harm / risk
PMID 24225560 2014	Randomised trial	Fourteen	-	Plasma L-arginine concentration	~120%	Benefit
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	Ammonia levels	reported qualitatively	No benefit
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	Creatine kinase levels	reported qualitatively	No benefit
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	Free fatty acid (FFA) levels	reported qualitatively	Unclear
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	Glucose concentration	reported qualitatively	Unclear
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	Glycerol levels	reported qualitatively	No benefit
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	Insulin concentration	reported qualitatively	Unclear
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	Lactate levels	reported qualitatively	No benefit
PMID 19777799 2009	Randomised trial	Twelve	-	NOx (NO2(-) + NO3(-)) levels	reported qualitatively	No benefit

Understand what people are taking.

L-Arginine for Muscle Recovery

L-Arginine for Muscle Recovery

The connection

L-Arginine × Muscle Recovery: at a glance

What the evidence shows

Evidence quality mix

L-Arginine × Muscle Recovery: the evidence base

No community reports yet for L-Arginine for muscle recovery.

Go deeper

Study results, as reported by the publications