Effects of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on a 30-s High-Intensity Inertial Cycle Ergometer Test

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Beetroot juice (BJ) is rich in inorganic nitrates and has proved effective at increasing blood nitric oxide (NO) levels. When used as a supplement BJ has shown an ergogenic effect on cardiorespiratory resistance exercise modalities, yet few studies have examined its impact on high intensity efforts. <b>Objective:</b> To assess the effects of BJ intake on anaerobic performance in a Wingate test. <b>Methods:</b> Fifteen trained men (age 21.46 ± 1.72 years, height 1.78 ± 0.07 cm and weight 76.90 ± 8.67 kg) undertook a 30-s maximum intensity test on an inertial cycle ergometer after drinking 70 mL of BJ (5.6 mmol NO₃^-) or placebo. <b>Results:</b> Despite no impacts of BJ on the mean power recorded during the test, improvements were produced in peak power (6%) (<i>p</i> = 0.034), average power 0-15 s (6.7%) (<i>p</i> = 0.048) and final blood lactate levels (82.6%) (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and there was a trend towards a shorter time taken to attain peak power (-8.4%) (<i>p</i> = 0.055). <b>Conclusions:</b> Supplementation with BJ has an ergonomic effect on maximum power output and on average power during the first 15 s of a 30-s maximum intensity inertial cycle ergometer test.