Cited by 32Cardiovascular and exercise physiologyExercise and Physiological ResponsesMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Nitric oxide in exercise physiology: past and present perspectives

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Mueller, Breanna J., Roberts, Michael D., Mobley, Christopher B., Judd, Robert L., Kavazis, Andreas N.·2025·Frontiers in Physiology

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous signaling molecule known to modulate various physiological processes, with specific implications in skeletal muscle and broader applications in exercise performance. This review focuses on the modulation of skeletal muscle function, mitochondrial adaptation and function, redox state by NO, and the effect of nitrate supplementation on exercise performance. In skeletal muscle function, NO is believed to increase the maximal shortening velocity and peak power output of muscle fibers. However, its effect on submaximal contraction is still undetermined. In mitochondria, NO may stimulate biogenesis and affect respiratory efficiency. NO also plays a role in the redox state within the skeletal muscle, partially through its interaction with respiratory chain enzymes and transcriptional regulators of antioxidant production. Nitrate supplementation leads to an increased bioavailability of NO in skeletal muscle. Thus, nitrate supplementation has been investigated for its ability to impact performance outcomes in endurance and resistance exercise. The effect of nitrate supplementation on endurance exercise is currently indecisive, although evidence indicates that it may extend the time to exhaustion in endurance exercise. Alternatively, the effect of nitrate supplementation on resistance exercise performance has been less studied. Limited research indicates that nitrate supplementation may improve repetitions to failure. Further research is needed to investigate the influence of training status, age, sex, and duration of supplementation to further elucidate the impact of nitrate supplementation on exercise performance.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fphys.2024.1504978

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Authors
Mueller, B. J., Roberts, M. D., Mobley, C. B., Judd, R. L., & Kavazis, A. N.
Affiliations
Auburn University (US)
Corresponding author
Kavazis, Andreas N.
Venue
Frontiers in Physiology
Published
2025-01-09
Volume
15
Pages
1504978-1504978
ISSN
1664-042X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4406228809
Cited by
32
References
119
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 12
FWCI
7.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Physiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
nitric oxide, nitrate supplementation, skeletal muscle function, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial function, redox state, exercise performance, endurance exercise, resistance training, time to exhaustion, muscle contraction

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