Arginine malate is sometimes used as a supplement to support endurance due to the theoretical roles of its two components: L-arginine and malic acid. L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule that promotes vasodilation and may improve blood flow during exercise. Malic acid is a component of the citric acid cycle, potentially aiding cellular energy production. There is scientific rationale for these mechanisms, and both ingredients have individually been studied for their effects on exercise performance. However, direct evidence specifically supporting the use of arginine malate (as a compound) for improving endurance is limited.

Some studies have shown that arginine supplementation can increase NO production and, in some cases, improve exercise capacity, but results are inconsistent and often depend on the population (trained vs. untrained) and the dosage used. Evidence for malic acid alone improving endurance is sparse. Research on combined arginine malate is minimal, with only a few small studies or indirect evidence suggesting possible benefits for muscular fatigue or performance.

Overall, while there is a plausible biochemical basis and some preliminary scientific support, high-quality, large-scale clinical trials directly investigating arginine malate for endurance enhancement are lacking. As such, the current level of evidence supporting its use for this purpose is modest (rated 2/5).