Trial Outcomes & Findings for Effect of Beetroot Nitrates on Different Physical Skills in Colombian Rugby Athletes (NCT NCT07106489)
NCT ID: NCT07106489
Last Updated: 2025-12-12
Results Overview
According to a score of 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest level of fatigue, participants evaluated their perception at the end of the physical tests.
Recruitment status
COMPLETED
Study phase
NA
Target enrollment
10 participants
Primary outcome timeframe
First and second weeks at the end of the physical tests
Results posted on
2025-12-12
Participant Flow
Following approval by the ethics committee, two rugby groups located in Bogotá, Colombia, were contacted. The project was explained, questions answered, and an invitation to participate was extended. Two weeks before the physical tests, an initial screening was conducted with those interested to verify compliance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent was obtained. Instructions were also given, such as not using mouthwash and a list of nitrate-rich foods to avoid.
Before the assignment, a nutritional assessment was performed, verifying inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as educating about the nitrate washout period and the use of mouthwash that may affect the research. Thus, it was recommended not to consume foods rich in nitrates from 3 days before the study until its completion. A list of these foods was provided and the requirement to not use mouthwash during the same period.
Participant milestones
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
The group receives the placebo the first week and the following week they receive the beetroot
beetroot juice - Placebo: Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded, as the 6 mmol of nitrates used require a high concentration of beetroot, which is masked by the waffle ingredients and food coloring.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
Fitness test by bronco test: The participant runs a distance of 20, 40, and 60 meters, back and forth, 5 times at maximum speed. The variable to be measured is the total time taken to complete the test.
Maximal strength: Each participant performs squats and bench press to evaluate lower-body and upper-body maximal strength, thus identifying their maximum strength taken per kilogram lifted.
Borg scale: At the end of the tests, each participant is asked to evaluate their perception of fatigue by giving a number between 1 and 10, with 1 being the lowest level of fatigue and 10 being the highest.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the following week receives the placebo.
beetroot juice - Placebo: Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded, as the 6 mmol of nitrates used require a high concentration of beetroot, which is masked by the waffle ingredients and food coloring.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
Fitness test by bronco test: The participant runs a distance of 20, 40, and 60 meters, back and forth, 5 times at maximum speed. The variable to be measured is the total time taken to complete the test.
Maximal strength: Each participant performs squats and bench press to evaluate lower-body and upper-body maximal strength, thus identifying their maximum strength taken per kilogram lifted.
Borg scale: At the end of the tests, each participant is asked to evaluate their perception of fatigue by giving a number between 1 and 10, with 1 being the lowest level of fatigue and 10 being the highest.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Overall Study
STARTED
|
5
|
5
|
|
Overall Study
COMPLETED
|
5
|
5
|
|
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
|
0
|
0
|
Reasons for withdrawal
Withdrawal data not reported
Baseline Characteristics
Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.
Baseline characteristics by cohort
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the following week they receive the beetroot
beetroot juice - Placebo: Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded, as the 6 mmol of nitrates used require a high concentration of beetroot, which is masked by the waffle ingredients and food coloring.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
Fitness test by bronco test: The participant runs a distance of 20, 40, and 60 meters, back and forth, 5 times at maximum speed. The variable to be measured is the total time taken to complete the test.
Maximal strength: Each participant performs squats and bench press to evaluate lower-body and upper-body maximal strength, thus identifying their maximum strength taken per kilogram lifted.
Borg scale: At the end of the tests, each participant is asked to evaluate their perception of fatigue by giving a number between 1 and 10, with 1 being the lowest level of fatigue and 10 being the highest.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the following week receives the placebo.
beetroot juice - Placebo: Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded, as the 6 mmol of nitrates used require a high concentration of beetroot, which is masked by the waffle ingredients and food coloring.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
Fitness test by bronco test: The participant runs a distance of 20, 40, and 60 meters, back and forth, 5 times at maximum speed. The variable to be measured is the total time taken to complete the test.
Maximal strength: Each participant performs squats and bench press to evaluate lower-body and upper-body maximal strength, thus identifying their maximum strength taken per kilogram lifted.
Borg scale: At the end of the tests, each participant is asked to evaluate their perception of fatigue by giving a number between 1 and 10, with 1 being the lowest level of fatigue and 10 being the highest.
|
Total
n=10 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Age, Continuous
|
22.4 years
n=5 Participants
|
25.6 years
n=5 Participants
|
24 years
n=10 Participants
|
|
Sex: Female, Male
Female
|
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
|
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
|
5 Participants
n=10 Participants
|
|
Sex: Female, Male
Male
|
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
|
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
|
5 Participants
n=10 Participants
|
|
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
|
—
|
—
|
0 Participants
Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.
|
|
Time training rugby
|
2.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.9 • n=5 Participants
|
7.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.8 • n=5 Participants
|
5.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.3 • n=10 Participants
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second physical tests weeksPhysical tests are performed over two different weeks. Initially, the 40-meter sprint test is performed with two attempts, with the attempt with the shortest execution time being considered. Distances from 0 to 10 meters are used to evaluate acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s\^2)
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Results Obtained in the Physical Tests to Evaluate Impact on Acceleration
Placebo
|
1.76 m/s^2
Interval 1.64 to 2.01
|
2.44 m/s^2
Interval 2.2 to 2.55
|
|
Results Obtained in the Physical Tests to Evaluate Impact on Acceleration
Beetroot
|
2.08 m/s^2
Interval 2.03 to 2.18
|
2.19 m/s^2
Interval 1.59 to 2.31
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second physical tests weeksIn the 40-meter speed test, the time taken to travel from the start to the 30 meters is measured in meters per second (m/s)
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Speed Results Over Distance From 0 to 30 Meters in 40 Meters Sprint Test
Placebo
|
5.61 m/s
Interval 5.16 to 6.04
|
6.46 m/s
Interval 5.87 to 6.73
|
|
Speed Results Over Distance From 0 to 30 Meters in 40 Meters Sprint Test
Beetroot
|
5.85 m/s
Interval 5.44 to 6.38
|
6.25 m/s
Interval 5.67 to 6.8
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second physical tests weeksIn the 40-meter sprint test, the time to cover from a distance of 30 meters to 40 meters is measured in meters per second (m/s)
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Speed Results With the Distance of 30 to 40 Meters in the 40-meter Sprint Test
Placebo
|
7.74 m/s
Interval 7.41 to 8.47
|
8.06 m/s
Interval 7.75 to 8.55
|
|
Maximum Speed Results With the Distance of 30 to 40 Meters in the 40-meter Sprint Test
Beetroot
|
7.47 m/s
Interval 6.33 to 7.81
|
8.02 m/s
Interval 7.58 to 8.62
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second physical tests weeksTime to cover the distance from 0 to 40 meters sprint at maximum speed in meters per second (m/s)
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Speed Given by Distance From 0 to 40 Meters Sprint
Placebo
|
6.00 m/s
Interval 5.47 to 6.5
|
6.78 m/s
Interval 6.37 to 7.25
|
|
Speed Given by Distance From 0 to 40 Meters Sprint
Beetroot
|
6.17 m/s
Interval 5.59 to 6.77
|
6.61 m/s
Interval 6.14 to 7.25
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second physical tests weeksFitness is assessed by the time it takes to cover the 1.2 km Bronco test segmented into distances of 20, 40, and 60 meters, which are covered 5 times.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Results From the Bronco Test
Placebo
|
6.08 Minutes
Interval 5.88 to 6.13
|
5.60 Minutes
Interval 5.38 to 5.78
|
|
Fitness Results From the Bronco Test
Beetroot
|
5.95 Minutes
Interval 5.72 to 6.07
|
5.54 Minutes
Interval 5.27 to 5.82
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second physical tests weeksSquats are performed technically until reaching 1 repetition maximum (1RM) meeting technical requirements.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=4 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Strength in the Lower-body Given by Squat
Placebo
|
101.25 kilograms (kg)
Interval 67.5 to 118.75
|
116.0 kilograms (kg)
Interval 85.0 to 130.0
|
|
Maximum Strength in the Lower-body Given by Squat
Beetroot
|
108.75 kilograms (kg)
Interval 73.75 to 127.5
|
120.0 kilograms (kg)
Interval 85.0 to 140.0
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second physical tests weeksMaximum weight lifted in 1 maximum repetition in a technically correct manner in the bench press exercise
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Upper-body Strength Given by Bench Press Test
Placebo
|
49.4 kilograms (kg)
Interval 30.0 to 55.0
|
72.2 kilograms (kg)
Interval 47.0 to 85.0
|
|
Maximum Upper-body Strength Given by Bench Press Test
Beetroot
|
52.8 kilograms (kg)
Interval 33.0 to 58.0
|
71.2 kilograms (kg)
Interval 45.0 to 82.0
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: First and second weeks at the end of the physical testsAccording to a score of 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest level of fatigue, participants evaluated their perception at the end of the physical tests.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo-Beetroot
n=5 Participants
The group receives the placebo the first week and the beetroot the second week.
Placebo and Beetroot in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
Beetroot-Placebo
n=5 Participants
The group receives the beetroot the first week and the placebo the second week.
Participants receive the beetroot and placebo in the form of waffles to ensure the study is blinded.
40 meters sprint: The participant performs a race at maximum speed with two attempts, times are taken at 10, 30 and 40 meters, to evaluate acceleration and speed, the attempt with the shortest times is the one taken for the research.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Perception of Fatigue Given by the Borg Scale
Beetroot
|
4.8 units on a scale from 1 to 10
Interval 4.0 to 6.0
|
3.6 units on a scale from 1 to 10
Interval 2.0 to 4.0
|
|
Perception of Fatigue Given by the Borg Scale
Placebo
|
4.6 units on a scale from 1 to 10
Interval 4.0 to 5.0
|
5.0 units on a scale from 1 to 10
Interval 4.0 to 6.0
|
Adverse Events
Placebo-Beetroot
Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths
Beetroot-Placebo
Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths
Serious adverse events
Adverse event data not reported
Other adverse events
Adverse event data not reported
Additional Information
Leidy Tatiana Reyes Vega
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Phone: +573016971711
Email: [email protected]
Results disclosure agreements
- Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
- Publication restrictions are in place