No effect of beetroot juice supplementation on exercise economy and performance in recreationally active females despite increased torque production

Purpose:To determine the effect of dietary nitrate (NO3 –) supplementation on physiology and performance in well-trained cyclists after 6–8 d of NO3 – supplementation.Methods:Eight competitive male cyclists (mean ± SD age 26 ± 8 y, body mass 76.7 ± 6.9 kg, VO2peak 63 ± 4 mL · kg–1 · min–1) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study in which participants ingested 70 mL of beetroot juice containing ~4 mmol NO3 – (NIT) or a NO3 –-depleted placebo (PLA), each for 8 d. Replicating pretreatment measures, participants undertook an incremental ramp assessment to determine VO2peak and first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds on d 6 (NIT6 and PLA6), moderate-intensity cycling economy on d 7 (NIT7 and PLA7), and a 4-km time trial (TT) on d 8 (NIT8 and PLA8).Results:Relative to PLA, 6 d of NIT supplementation produced unclear effects for VO2peak (mean ± 95% confidence limit: 1.8% ± 5.5%) and VT1 (3.7% ± 12.3%) and trivial effects for both VT2 (–1.0% ± 3.0%) and exercise economy on d 7 (–1.0% ± 1.6%). However, effects for TT performance time (–0.7% ± 0.9%) and power (2.4% ± 2.5%) on d 8 were likely beneficial.Conclusions:Despite mostly unclear outcomes for standard physiological determinants of performance, 8 d of NO3 – supplementation resulted in likely beneficial improvements to 4-km TT performance in well-trained male endurance cyclists.

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Neither Beetroot Juice Supplementation nor Increased Carbohydrate Oxidation Enhance Economy of Prolonged Exercise in Elite Race Walkers

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082767 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2767

Author(s):

Louise M. Burke ◽

Rebecca Hall ◽

Ida A. Heikura ◽

Megan L. Ross ◽

Nicolin Tee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elite Athletes ◽

Endurance Performance ◽

Beetroot Juice ◽

Future Studies ◽

Exercise Economy ◽

Parallel Group ◽

Performance Effects ◽

Race Walking ◽

The Impact ◽

Current Guidelines

Given the importance of exercise economy to endurance performance, we implemented two strategies purported to reduce the oxygen cost of exercise within a 4 week training camp in 21 elite male race walkers. Fourteen athletes undertook a crossover investigation with beetroot juice (BRJ) or placebo (PLA) [2 d preload, 2 h pre-exercise + 35 min during exercise] during a 26 km race walking at speeds simulating competitive events. Separately, 19 athletes undertook a parallel group investigation of a multi-pronged strategy (MAX; n = 9) involving chronic (2 w high carbohydrate [CHO] diet + gut training) and acute (CHO loading + 90 g/h CHO during exercise) strategies to promote endogenous and exogenous CHO availability, compared with strategies reflecting lower ranges of current guidelines (CON; n = 10). There were no differences between BRJ and PLA trials for rates of CHO (p = 0.203) or fat (p = 0.818) oxidation or oxygen consumption (p = 0.090). Compared with CON, MAX was associated with higher rates of CHO oxidation during exercise, with increased exogenous CHO use (CON; peak = ~0.45 g/min; MAX: peak = ~1.45 g/min, p < 0.001). High rates of exogenous CHO use were achieved prior to gut training, without further improvement, suggesting that elite athletes already optimise intestinal CHO absorption via habitual practices. No differences in exercise economy were detected despite small differences in substrate use. Future studies should investigate the impact of these strategies on sub-elite athletes’ economy as well as the performance effects in elite groups.

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Correction: Crisis of confidence averted: Impairment of exercise economy and performance in elite race walkers by ketogenic low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) diet is reproducible

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0235592 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. e0235592

Author(s):

Louise M. Burke ◽

Avish P. Sharma ◽

Ida A. Heikura ◽

Sara F. Forbes ◽

Melissa Holloway ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Fat ◽

Exercise Economy ◽

Low Carbohydrate ◽

And Performance

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The impact of beetroot juice intake on muscle oxygenation and performance during rhythmic handgrip exercise

PharmaNutrition ◽

10.1016/j.phanu.2020.100215 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 100215

Author(s):

Mônica Volino-Souza ◽

Gustavo Vieira de Oliveira ◽

Elisa Barros-Santos ◽

Carlos Adam Conte-Junior ◽

Thiago Silveira Alvares

Keyword(s):

Muscle Oxygenation ◽

Beetroot Juice ◽

Handgrip Exercise ◽

And Performance ◽

The Impact

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The Effect of Variable Doses of Inorganic Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice on Simulated 2000-m Rowing Performance in Trained Athletes

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2013-0207 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 615-620 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Matthew W. Hoon ◽

Andrew M. Jones ◽

Nathan A. Johnson ◽

Jamie R. Blackwell ◽

Elizabeth M. Broad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endurance Performance ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Beetroot Juice ◽

Inorganic Nitrate ◽

Rowing Performance ◽

Ergometer Rowing ◽

And Performance ◽

Dose Response Effect ◽

Double Blinded ◽

Ergometer Test

Context:Beetroot juice is a naturally rich source of inorganic nitrate (NO3−), a compound hypothesized to enhance endurance performance by improving exercise efficiency.Purpose:To investigate the effect of different doses of beetroot juice on 2000-m ergometer-rowing performance in highly trained athletes.Methods:Ten highly trained male rowers volunteered to participate in a placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover study. Two hours before undertaking a 2000-m rowing-ergometer test, subjects consumed beetroot juice containing 0 mmol (placebo), 4.2 mmol (SINGLE), or 8.4 mmol (DOUBLE) NO3−. Blood samples were taken before supplement ingestion and immediately before the rowing test for analysis of plasma [NO3−] and [nitrite (NO2−)].Results:The SINGLE dose demonstrated a trivial effect on time to complete 2000 m compared with placebo (mean difference: 0.2 ± 2.5 s). A possibly beneficial effect was found with DOUBLE compared with SINGLE (mean difference –1.8 ± 2.1 s) and with placebo (–1.6 ± 1.6 s). Plasma [NO2−] and [NO3−] demonstrated a dose-response effect, with greater amounts of ingested nitrate leading to substantially higher concentrations (DOUBLE > SINGLE > placebo). There was a moderate but insignificant correlation (r = –.593, P = .055) between change in plasma [NO2−] and performance time.Conclusion:Compared with nitratedepleted beetroot juice, a high (8.4 mmol NO3−) but not moderate (4.2 mmol NO3−) dose of NO3− in beetroot juice, consumed 2 h before exercise, may improve 2000-m rowing performance in highly trained athletes.

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Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Parameters in Athletic Population: A Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10215073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (21) ◽

pp. 5073

Author(s):

Reza Mazaheri ◽

Christian Schmied ◽

David Niederseer ◽

Marco Guazzi

Keyword(s):

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing ◽

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test ◽

Cardiopulmonary Exercise ◽

Physiological Investigation ◽

Exercise Economy ◽

Test Parameters ◽

Ventilatory Equivalent ◽

Key Variables ◽

And Performance

Although still underutilized, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) allows the most accurate and reproducible measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness and performance in athletes. It provides functional physiologic indices which are key variables in the assessment of athletes in different disciplines. CPET is valuable in clinical and physiological investigation of individuals with loss of performance or minor symptoms that might indicate subclinical cardiovascular, pulmonary or musculoskeletal disorders. Highly trained athletes have improved CPET values, so having just normal values may hide a medical disorder. In the present review, applications of CPET in athletes with special attention on physiological parameters such as VO2max, ventilatory thresholds, oxygen pulse, and ventilatory equivalent for oxygen and exercise economy in the assessment of athletic performance are discussed. The role of CPET in the evaluation of possible latent diseases and overtraining syndrome, as well as CPET-based exercise prescription, are outlined.

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Effects of Beetroot Juice on Recovery and Performance Between Bouts of Repeated Sprint Exercise

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000485770.05754.b7 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 ◽

pp. 256

Author(s):

Tom Clifford ◽

Bram Berntzen ◽

Gareth W. Davison ◽

Daniel J. West ◽

Glyn Howatson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beetroot Juice ◽

Sprint Exercise ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

And Performance

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Beetroot Juice Improves On-Water 500 M Time-Trial Performance, and Laboratory-Based Paddling Economy in National and International-Level Kayak Athletes

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.2014-0110 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 278-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Peter Peeling ◽

Gregory R. Cox ◽

Nicola Bullock ◽

Louise M. Burke

Keyword(s):

National Level ◽

Time Trial ◽

Energy System ◽

Step Test ◽

International Level ◽

Beetroot Juice ◽

Warm Up ◽

Exercise Economy ◽

Maximal Effort ◽

Performance Trial

We assessed the ingestion of a beetroot juice supplement (BR) on 4-min laboratory-based kayak performance in national level male (n = 6) athletes (Study A), and on 500 m on-water kayak time-trial (TT) performance in international level female (n = 5) athletes (Study B). In Study A, participants completed three laboratory-based sessions on a kayak ergometer, including a 7 × 4 min step test, and two 4 min maximal effort performance trials. Two and a half hours before the warm-up of each 4 min performance trial, athletes received either a 70 ml BR shot containing ~4.8 mmol of nitrate, or a placebo equivalent (BRPLA). The distance covered over the 4 min TT was not different between conditions; however, the average VO2 over the 4 min period was significantly lower in BR (p = .04), resulting in an improved exercise economy (p = .05). In Study B, participants completed two field-based 500 m TTs, separated by 4 days. Two hours before each trial, athletes received either two 70 ml BR shots containing ~9.6 mmol of nitrate, or a placebo equivalent (BRPLA). BR supplementation significantly enhanced TT performance by 1.7% (p = .01). Our results show that in national-level male kayak athletes, commercially available BR shots (70 ml) containing ~4.8 mmol of nitrate improved exercise economy during laboratory-based tasks predominantly reliant on the aerobic energy system. Furthermore, greater volumes of BR (140 ml; ~9.6 mmol nitrate) provided to international-level female kayak athletes resulted in enhancements to TT performance in the field.

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Potential Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Exercise Economy in Well-Trained Females

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2021-0563 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stacey P A Forbes ◽

Lawrence L. Spriet

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Potential Effect ◽

Beetroot Juice ◽

Ratings Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Exercise Economy ◽

Higher Power ◽

Nitrate Supplementation ◽

Power Outputs

This study examined if acute dietary nitrate supplementation (140 ml beetroot juice, BRJ) would reduce oxygen consumption (V̇O2) during cycling at power outputs of 50 and 70% V̇O2max in 14 well-trained female Canadian University Ringette League athletes. BRJ had no effect on VO2 or heart rate but significantly reduced ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) at both intensities. Individually, 4 participants responded to BRJ supplementation with a ≥3% reduction in V̇O2 at the higher power output. • Acute BRJ supplementation did not improve exercise economy in well-trained females, but significantly reduced RPE. However, 4/14 subjects did respond with a ≥3% V̇O2 reduction.

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Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Mood, Perceived Exertion, and Performance During a 30-Second Wingate Test

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 243-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Pablo Jodra ◽

Raúl Domínguez ◽

Antonio J. Sánchez-Oliver ◽

Pablo Veiga-Herreros ◽

Stephen J. Bailey

Keyword(s):

Test Performance ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Wingate Test ◽

Mood States ◽

Peak Power Output ◽

Profile Of Mood States ◽

Beetroot Juice ◽

Placebo Condition ◽

Double Blind ◽

And Performance

Purpose: Dietary supplementation with inorganic nitrate (NO3−) can enhance high-intensity exercise performance by improving skeletal muscle contractility and metabolism, but the extent to which this might be linked to altered psychophysiological processes is presently unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of NO3−-rich beetroot juice (BJ) supplementation on profile of mood states, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and performance in a 30-second Wingate cycle test. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study, 15 subjects completed 2 laboratory sessions after ingesting NO3−-rich or NO3−-depleted (placebo) BJ. Participants initially completed the profile of mood states questionnaire. Subsequently, participants completed a warm-up followed by a 30-second all-out Wingate cycling test. After the Wingate test, participants immediately indicated the RPE of their leg muscles (RPEmuscular), cardiovascular system (RPEcardio), and general RPE (RPEgeneral). Results: Compared with the placebo condition, supplementation with BJ increased peak power output (Wpeak) (+4.4%, 11.5 [0.7] vs 11.1 [1.0] W·kg−1; P = .039) and lowered the time taken to reach Wpeak (7.3 [0.9] vs 8.7 [1.5] s; P = .002) during the Wingate test. The profile of mood states score linked to tension was increased prior to the Wingate test (4.8 [3.0] vs 3.4 [2.4]; P = .040), and RPEmuscular was lowered immediately following the Wingate test (17.7 [1.6] vs 18.3 [1.0]; P = .031), after BJ compared with placebo ingestion. Conclusions: Acute BJ supplementation improved pre-exercise tension, 30-second Wingate test performance, and lowered postexercise RPEmuscular.

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