Effects of a Single Dose of Dietary Nitrate via Beetroot Crystals on High­Intensity Intermittent Exercise Performance in Recreational Collegiate Athletes; [Wpływ pojedynczej dawki azotanu w diecie w postaci kryształów buraka ćwikłowego na wydolność w ćwiczeniach o wysokiej intensywności przerywanej u rekreacyjnych sportowców akademickich]

• Published in: Fizjoterapia Polska
• Main Author: Saleh M.M.; Dev R.D.O.; Linoby A.; Norhamazi I.; Razak R.A.; Sulaiman N.; Jaapar S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: DJ Studio 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85204785288&doi=10.56984%2f8ZG020AQYL&partnerID=40&md5=31bc98d7a28f2052de967075d3bf7628

Endurance and high-intensity intermittent exercise are paramount in the pursuit of optimal athletic performance. Nitrate (NO3 −) supplementation has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing these aspects. Prior studies underscore the beneficial role of nitrate supplementation in augmenting endurance and high-intensity intermittent exercise. The current study probes the immediate effects of nitrate supplementation, specifically beetroot crystals (BRC), on high-intensity intermittent running performance in recreational collegiate athletes. In a randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled, double-blind investigation, fourteen male athletes consumed either an acute dose of BRC (25 g·day−1, containing ~8.1 mmol of NO3 −) or a placebo (PLA; 25 g·day−1 of maltodextrin) 1.5 hours prior to undergoing a highintensity intermittent exercise test in a controlled laboratory setting. Results elucidated that BRC supplementation improved high-intensity intermittent exercise performance (BRC: 270.5 ± 138.5 s vs. PLA: 231.7 ± 141.5 s; p < 0.05) and elevated plasma plasma NO3 − and NO2 − concentrations compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, blood pressure, muscle oxygenation, plasma lactate, and glucose levels did not reveal any significant differences (p > 0.05). Crucially, this study stands as the first to identify BRC as a significant enhancer of intermittent cycling performance in a controlled laboratory setting. These findings underscore the potential of acute BRC supplementation in boosting high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in recreational collegiate athletes, thereby prompting further investigation into its potential usage in sports and exercise scenarios. © 2024, DJ Studio. All rights reserved.