Beetroot Juice Effects on Contractile or Neuromuscular Properties in Male Trained Sprinters

NCT ID: NCT06675682

Last Updated: 2024-11-05

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 12 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-03-17
• Study Completion Date: 2021-03-31

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.

Conditions

Nitrates; Placebo

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

Beetroot juice supplementation

One serving 70 mL of beetroot juice (6.4 mmol of NO3-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) 2.5 h before initiating the testing session.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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.

Placebo supplementation

One serving 70 mL of beetroot juice placebo (0.04 mmol of NO3-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) 2.5 h before initiating the testing session.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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.

Interventions

Beetroot 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.

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Universidad de León

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Anglia Ruskin University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Universidad Pontificia Comillas

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Alvaro López Samanes, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Universidad Pontificia Comillas

Locations

Universidad Pontificia Comillas

Madrid, , Spain

Countries

Spain

Other Identifiers

UPC_Comillas

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id