No effect of beetroot juice supplementation on exercise economy and performance in recreationally active females despite increased torque production
Open accessAbstract
This study investigated the effects of acute and chronic beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation on submaximal exercise oxygen uptake (VO2), time trial (TT) performance, and contractile properties of the plantar flexors in females. Study 1: Using a double blind, randomized, crossover design, 12 recreationally active females using hormonal contraceptives supplemented acutely (2.5 h) and chronically (8 days) with 280 mL BRJ/d (~26 mmoles nitrate []) or a -free placebo (PLA). On days 1 and 8, participants cycled for 10 min at 50% and 70% VO2peak and completed a 4 kJ/kg body mass TT. Plasma [] and nitrite ([NO2−]) increased significantly following BRJ supplementation versus PLA. There was no effect of BRJ supplementation on VO2 at 50% or 70% VO2peak, or TT performance. Study 2: 12 recreationally active females (n = 7 from Study 1) using hormonal contraceptives participated in a baseline visit and were supplemented acutely (2.5 h) and chronically (8 days) with 280 mL BRJ/d. Maximum voluntary strength (MVC) of the plantar flexors was assessed and a torque-frequency curve performed. BRJ had no effect on MVC, voluntary activation, peak twitch torque, time to peak torque, or half relaxation time. Following both acute (46.6 ± 4.9% of 100 Hz torque) and chronic (47.2 ± 4.4%) supplementation, 10 Hz torque was significantly greater compared to baseline (32.9 ± 2.6%). In summary, BRJ may not be an effective ergogenic aid in recreationally active females as it did not reduce submaximal exercise VO2 or improve aerobic TT performance despite increasing low frequency torque production.
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Untrained and recreationally trained females also experience a decrease in O2 costs of submaximal exercise with nitrate supplementation.
“As routinely observed in males, untrained and recreationally trained females also experience a decrease in O2 costs of submaximal exercise [302,303].”
From International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutritional concerns of the female athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [303]
The Introduction reports earlier reductions in O2 cost in sedentary females and during a cooldown in recreationally active females, but cautions that those findings are difficult to interpret. The Conclusions report that this study found no reduction in the O2 cost of submaximal exercise in recreationally active females. The unqualified claim therefore overstates what the paper supports. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAn ergogenic effect of NO3− supplementation appears less likely in endurance-trained individuals.
“Although an ergogenic effect of NO3− supplementation appears less likely in endurance-trained individuals, i.e., [65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74], recent systematic reviews support its efficacy as an ergogenic aid during continuous endurance-type exercise [75,76,77] and high-intensity intermittent-type exercise [78].”
From Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Weightlifting Exercise Performance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [73]
NO3− supplementation can enhance force production during voluntary and evoked isometric assessments and isokinetic voluntary knee extensor power and velocity.
“There is some evidence that NO3− supplementation can enhance force production during voluntary and evoked isometric assessments [73,95,96] and isokinetic voluntary knee extensor power and velocity [97].”
From Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Weightlifting Exercise Performance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [73]
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References 48 · Cited by 57
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Rienks, J. N., A. A. Vanderwoude, E. Maas, Z. M. Blea, and A. W. Subudhi. 2015 Effect of beetroot juice on moderate‐intensity exercise at a constant rating of perceived exertion. Int. J. Exerc. Sci. 8: 277– 286. 27182417 PMC4833472
- Authors
- Wickham, K. A., McCarthy, D. G., Pereira, J. M., Cervone, D. T., Verdijk, L. B., van Loon, L. J. C., Power, G. A., & Spriet, L. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Guelph (CA)
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Department of Human Biology; Maastricht University; Maastricht The Netherlands
- Corresponding author
- Wickham, Kate A.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Physiological Reports
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2019-01
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- e13982
- ISSN
- 2051-817X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6336290
- OpenAlex
- W2910850912
- Cited by
- 57
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 9.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Physiological Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- beetroot juice, nitrate supplementation, exercise economy, submaximal oxygen uptake, time trial performance, plantar flexors, muscle torque, voluntary activation, twitch torque, relaxation time, hormonal contraception, ergogenic aids
- MeSH terms
- Fruit and Vegetable Juices, Adult, Antioxidants, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Oxygen Consumption, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal, Cross-Over Studies, Dietary Supplements, Beta vulgaris, Athletic Performance, Young Adult
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