Beetroot juice supplementation does not improve performance of elite 1500-m runners.
OBJECTIVE
Dietary nitrate supplementation with beetroot juice (BR) has received widespread attention as an ergogenic aid. However, recent evidence in well-trained cyclists has not consistently reported improved cycling economy or performance. The present study examined the effects of acute and chronic BR supplementation on V˙O2 during submaximal running and 1500-m time trial (TT) performance of elite distance runners.


METHODS
Eight male 1500-m runners (V˙O2peak, 80 ± 5 mL·kg·min; 1500-m personal best, 3:56 ± 9 s) participated in this study. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, subjects supplemented with BR or a nitrate-free BR placebo (PL) for 8 d separated by at least 1 wk. On days 1 (acute) and 8 (chronic), subjects ingested 210 mL of BR (19.5-mmol nitrate) or PL and completed a submaximal treadmill run and 1500-m TT on an indoor 200-m track.


RESULTS
Plasma nitrate increased from 37 ± 15 to 615 ± 151 μM (acute) and 870 ± 259 μM (chronic) after BR supplementation. There were no V˙O2 differences between conditions at 50%, 65%, and 80% V˙O2peak (acute PL, 4194 ± 90 mL·min; chronic PL, 4216 ± 95 mL·min; acute BR, 4192 ± 113 mL·min; chronic BR, 4299 ± 92 mL·min). The 1500-m TT was unaffected by acute or chronic BR supplementation (acute PL, 4:10.4 min:s ± 2.5 s; chronic PL, 4:11.4 min:s ± 2.7 s; acute BR, 4:10.7 min:s ± 1.5 s; chronic BR, 4:10.5 min:s ± 2.2 s). However, two subjects improved their TT performance after acute (5.8 and 5.0 s) and chronic BR supplementation (7.0 and 0.5 s).


CONCLUSIONS
Acute and chronic BR supplementation did not reduce running V˙O2 or improve 1500-m TT performance of a group of elite distance runners, but two responders to BR were identified.
Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CANADA.
Robert K
RK
Boorsma
Jamie
J
Whitfield
Lawrence L
LL
Spriet
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D027461:Beta vulgaris; D001628:Beverages; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D009566:Nitrates