Dietary Nitrate Supplementation Enhances Performance and Speeds Muscle Deoxyhaemoglobin Kinetics during an End-Sprint after Prolonged Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Abstract

Short-term dietary nitrate (NO3−) supplementation has the potential to enhance performance during submaximal endurance, and short-duration, maximal-intensity exercise. However, it has yet to be determined whether NO3− supplementation before and during submaximal endurance exercise can improve performance during a short-duration, maximal-intensity end-sprint. In a randomised, double-blind, crossover study, 9 recreationally active men ingested NO3−-rich (BR: 8 mmol NO3−/day) and NO3−-depleted (PL: 0.75 mmol NO3−/day) beetroot powder for 7 days. On day 7, participants completed 2 h of moderate-intensity cycling, which immediately transitioned into a 60 s maximal-intensity end-sprint, with supplements ingested 2 h before and 1 h into the moderate-intensity exercise bout. Plasma [NO3−] and [NO2−] were higher in BR compared to PL pre- and post-exercise (p < 0.05). Post-exercise plasma [NO3−] was higher than pre-exercise (562 ± 89 µM vs. 300 ± 73 µM; p < 0.05) and plasma [NO2−] was not significantly different pre- (280 ± 58 nM) and post-exercise (228 ± 63 nM) in the BR condition (p > 0.05). Mean power output during the final 30 s of the end-sprint was greater after BR (390 ± 38 W) compared to PL (365 ± 41 W; p < 0.05). There were no differences between BR and PL in any muscle oxygenation variables during moderate-intensity cycling (p > 0.05), but muscle [deoxyhaemoglobin] kinetics was faster during the end-sprint in BR (6.5 ± 1.4 s) compared to PL (7.3 ± 1.4 s; p < 0.05). These findings suggest that NO3− supplementation has the potential to improve end-sprint performance in endurance events when ingested prior to and during exercise.

Muscle Oximetry in Sports Science: An Updated Systematic Review

“…as a means of enhancing muscle performance or recovery). The following situations were compared with some control scenarios to evaluate the muscle oxygenation responses and the potential benefits of the tested product or intervention: the use of a tracksuit jacket with heating elements [ 162 ], nonivamide-nicoboxil cream [ 180 ], sports compression garment ( n = 3 for lower limb: tights, calf sleeve, socks; n = 1 for upper limb, forearm) [ 18 , 19 , 31 , 107 ], core and skin cooling [ 136 ], undergoing thigh cooling by a water-circulating pad [ 85 ] and oral supplementation with dietary inorganic nitrate-rich and placebo beetroot juice [ 32 , 33 , 40 , 43 , 63 , 75 , 76 , 131 , 146 , 158 , 183 , 190 , 201 ], supplementation with pomegranate extract and co-supplementation with N -acetylcysteine [ 39 ], protein powder [ 134 ], pre-exercise ingestion of a drink with higher dissolved O 2 [ 135 ], anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant supplementation [ 27 ], 1 h after a single dose of mango leaf extract rich in mangiferin and lecithin, or mango leaf extract rich in mangiferin and quercetin, phospholipids addition [ 53 – 55 ], red spinach extract [ 121 ], citrulline drink/citrulline malate [ 190 , 196 ], l -arginine [ 141 , 143 ], Montmorency cherry polyphenols [ 67 ], eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (fish oil) [ 198 ], caffeine intake [ 189 ] and dark chocolate [ 81 ].…”

Nutritional Ergogenic Aids in Cycling: A Systematic Review

“…Two studies focused on analyzing the effects of creatine as a supplement [ 21 , 22 ], while six others focused on sodium bicarbonate [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Beta-alanine supplementation was evaluated in three studies [ 29 , 30 , 31 ], and eight studies assessed nitrates [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Notably, none of the trials specifically addressed glycerol supplementation.…”

“…Eight studies investigating nitrate supplementation during cycling were examined [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. In one study, a dose of 6.4 mmol of nitrates was administered [ 34 ], while doses of 8 mmol of nitrates were used in two studies [ 36 , 38 ], a dose of 9.9 mmol of nitrates in one study [ 35 ], doses ranging from 12.4 to 13 mmol of nitrates in two studies [ 33 , 39 ], and a dose of 18.5 mmol of nitrates in another study [ 37 ]. One study mentioned only the consumption of 340 mg of nitrates without specifying the equivalence in mmol [ 32 ].…”

Impact of a short-term nitrate and citrulline co-supplementation on sport performance in elite rowers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial

“…Therefore, NO 3 − supplements intake could potentially offer positive effects in high-intensity efforts where the ability to deliver and maintain high peak power is determinant, such as rowing (Bell et al 1989 ). Wylie et al ( 2013b ) found, in recreational team-sport players, improvements in 6 s sprints after supplementing 8.4 mmol NO 3 − for 8 days, but no other benefits were reported in sprints lasting between 30 and 60 s. However, using similar supplementation (8 mmol NO 3 − for 7 days), benefits in 60 s sprint have been found in active men (Rowland et al 2023 ). Although other benefits have been reported in efforts lasting 30–60 s such as after a Wingate test (i.e., 45 s), these studies used acute intake of NO 3 − (Dominguez et al 2017b ; Jodra et al 2020 ).…”