Nitrates, Placebo
Conditions
Keywords
Sport nutrition, Track and field, Tensiomyography, Athletes, Nitrates
Brief summary
Beetroot juice is a rich source of nitrate (NO3-), which serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) via the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-) to NO conversion pathway. This pathway is believed to enhance vasodilation and improve neuromuscular function, such as by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and re-uptake, leading to enhanced force production in type II muscle fibers and improved muscle contractile recruitment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on muscle contractile properties, as assessed by tensiomyography, and neuromuscular performance in sprint-trained athletes.
Detailed description
Sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding scientific field that has experienced a significant increase in interest from the academic community over the past decade. Despite the extensive marketing of numerous nutritional products that claim to optimize athlete health, function, and performance, only a limited number of sports foods or dietary supplements have been supported by robust evidence for enhancing performance. Among these, caffeine, creatine, beetroot juice, β-alanine, and bicarbonate are notable for their validated efficacy, though the effectiveness of these supplements can vary based on the specific event, context of use, and the individual athlete's goals and responsiveness. Beetroot juice, in particular, is a rich source of nitrate (NO3-), which serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) through the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-) to NO conversion pathway. This pathway is believed to promote vasodilation and improve neuromuscular function, such as by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and re-uptake, leading to enhanced force output in type II muscle fibers and improved muscle contractile recruitment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on muscle contractile properties, as assessed by tensiomyography, and neuromuscular performance in sprint-trained athletes. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the physiological effects induced by beetroot juice intake in short-distance track and field disciplines.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBeetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training
Player randomization was performed using an online tool (https://www.randomizer.org/). An independent researcher assigned alphanumeric codes to each sequence to ensure blinding of both sprint athletes and researchers during the trials. Each player participated in two identical experimental trials separated by one week to allow physical recovery between testing occasions and washout from the beetroot juice treatment.
Sponsors
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
Universidad de León
Anglia Ruskin University
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Universidad Pontificia Comillas
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Between 18 to 40 years old. * With a regular training practise in track and field disciplines > 5 years.
Exclusion criteria
* Intolerance to beetroot juice or NO3- derivatives * Presence of any chronic pathology or injury within three months prior to the study- * Use of medications or supplements (e.g., caffeine) during the study. * Failure to attend all experimental sessions. * Failure to adhere to the dietary guidelines established in the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tensiomyography changes (seconds): Delay time (Td) ; Contraction time (Tc) ; Sustain time (Ts) ; Relaxation time (Tr) | 1-week | The measurement of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis muscles was conducted using tensiomyography. We analyzed different parameters such as selay time (Td) as a time between the electrical impulse and 10% of the contraction; Contraction time (Tc) as a time between 10% and 90% of the contraction; Sustain time (Ts) as a time between 50% of the contraction and 50% of the relaxation; Relaxation time (Tr) as a time between 90% and 50% of the relaxation. |
| Changes in 60-m and 100-m sprint test (seconds) | 1-week | Time to complete 60-m and 100-m sprint test using photocell timing gates |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in maximal countermovement and squat jump height (cm) | 1-week. | Maximal jump height using a contact platform |
| Changes in nitrites and nitrates levels in saliva (μmol/L) | 1-week | Using specific kit ELISA analysis |
| Changes in side effects questionnarie | 1-week | Questionnarie based on side-effects related to beetroot juice ingestion (A scale consisting of nine items, each answered with yes or no) |
| Changes in rate of perception effort | 1-week | Using rate of perceived exertion scale (1-10 points) |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed