Beetroot Supplementation and High Intensity Exercise

NCT ID: NCT05841407

Last Updated: 2024-04-09

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 24 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-03-15
• Study Completion Date: 2024-03-14

Brief Summary

Ingested beetroot contains inorganic nitrate which is later converted to nitric oxide (NO) in the bloodstream. NO is an important signaling molecule with several physiological functions in the body including acting as a vasodilator, expanding arteries and improving blood flow. Beetroot juice contain inorganic nitrate and consumption of beetroot has been shown to improve skeletal muscle contractility and metabolism enhancing high-intensity exercise performance. Isotonic sports drinks contain carbohydrates and sodium, which also improve exercise performance by providing exogenous glucose for energy to the working muscle and central nervous system and enabling faster absorption of fluid into the bloodstream. The ingestion of exogenous nitrate and isotonic-carbohydrate drink are recognized strategies for promoting exercise performance but whether they can be effectively combined has not been shown. This study will compare the salivary nitrite response, muscle oxygenation and time-trial performance after ingestion of two isotonic drinks with high in nitrate or with no nitrate.

Detailed Description

Ingested beetroot contains inorganic nitrate (NO3-) which is later converted to nitric oxide (NO) in the bloodstream. NO is an important signaling molecule with several physiological functions in the body including acting as a vasodilator, expanding arteries and improving blood flow. These functions mean that beetroot juice has become of strong interest in the field of exercise and is a recommended supplement for athletes to improve performance in recent consensus statements by the International Olympic Committee on dietary supplements. Importantly, the consumption of beetroot has been shown to improve skeletal muscle contractility and metabolism, hence, enhancing high-intensity exercise performance . Isotonic sports drinks contain carbohydrates and sodium, which also improve exercise performance by providing exogenous glucose for energy to the working muscle and central nervous system and enabling faster absorption of fluid into the bloodstream. The ingestion of exogenous nitrate and isotonic-carbohydrate drink are recognized strategies for promoting exercise performance but whether they can be effectively combined has not been shown. This study will compare the salivary nitrite response, muscle oxygenation and time-trial performance after ingestion of two drinks either high in nitrate or with no nitrate. Participants will ingest the two drinks in a randomised, crossover double-blind trial. One hour after drink ingestion they will undertake high intensity intermittent exercise for 30 minutes followed by a 10 km time trial on a cycle ergometer. Time trial will be compared between trials as the main outcome. It is hypothesised that the drink high in nitrate will lead to faster time trial completion.

Conditions

Exercise Performance

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

High nitrate

High nitrate isotonic drink

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

High nitrate isotonic drink

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

High nitrate (12.9 mmol) drink with carbohydrate and minerals

No nitrate

No nitrate isotonic drink

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

No nitrate isotonic drink

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Carbohydrate and mineral isotonic drink

Interventions

High nitrate isotonic drink

High nitrate (12.9 mmol) drink with carbohydrate and minerals

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

No nitrate isotonic drink

Carbohydrate and mineral isotonic drink

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age: 21 - 40 years
• Healthy and injury-free (e.g., no cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, orthopaedic impairment that interferes with moderate-to-vigorous exercise)
• Blood pressure < 130/90 mmHg
• Physically active: Engaging in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week.
• Recreational cyclist (Minimum 1 hour cycling per week)
• Body mass index: 18.5-25 kg/m2
• Non-smoker
• Asian ethnicity by self identification

Exclusion Criteria

• Any allergies to beetroot or isotonic drink.
• Asthma.
• Any report of personal health issues that may compromise the individual's ability to undertake exercise safely.
• Any recent Covid vaccination (within last 2 weeks).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Nanyang Technological University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Stephen Burns

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Stephen Burns, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Nanyang Technological University

Locations

Human Bioenergetics Laboratory, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University

Singapore, , Singapore

Countries

Singapore

Other Identifiers

IRB-2022-880

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id