Effects of beetroot juice supplementation on anaerobic exercise performance
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Date
2018-12-21
Authors
Pinder, Mark
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Abstract
The study objective was to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of dietary nitrate supplement on dynamic, multi-joint exercise performance. Thirteen males (mean age, 25.2 ± 2.7 years; squat 1-repetition-maximum 146 ± 33 kg) completed a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Participants consumed beetroot juice with 8 mmol (BRH) or 1.2 mmol nitrate (BRL), or a placebo (PLA) for seven days, executed a dynamic resistance exercise, and seven-day washout between treatments. Assessment included plasma nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels, blood lactate, gross motor unit efficiency; measured by electromyography (EMG), during isometric contractions pre, intra, and post-exercise, and exercise repetition to failure. BRH elevated (P < 0.0001) plasma NOx compared to BRL and PLA. BRH and BRL increased mean peak EMG amplitude compared to PLA (79.1 ± 16.3%, 77.5 ± 9.7% and 70.0 ± 9.5% respectively), but it was not significant (P > 0.05). No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in any other outcome. Even 8 mmol nitrate may not decrease neuromuscular fatigue nor enhance resistance exercise performance in some recreational athletes.
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Keywords
Nitrate, Exercise, Beetroot, Nitric oxide, Electromyography