NCT07106489CompletedNot Applicable

Effect of Beetroot Extract Supplementation on the Athletic Performance of Trained Rugby Athletes

Universidad Nacional de Colombia1 site in 1 country10 target enrollmentStarted: February 1, 2025Last updated: December 12, 2025

Trial Snapshot

Phase: Not Applicable
Status: Completed
Sponsor: Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Enrollment: 10
Locations: 1
Primary Endpoint: Fitness Results From the Bronco Test

Study Overview Study Design Eligibility Criteria Outcomes Investigators Sites Records & Identifiers Similar Trials

Study Overview

Brief Summary

Beetroot is a source of nitrates, which have demonstrated various positive effects in sports, with little evidence in intermittent sports such as ball sports (including rugby). Therefore, the study's hypothesis is that it may also have an effect in these sports. For this purpose, a beetroot extract was used, a product approved by the Colombian institution in charge of product approval and registration in Colombia, the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (INVIMA). This was done to determine whether it has any effect on various physical abilities required for rugby, such as speed, acceleration, strength, and fatigue perception.

Detailed Description

Currently, nitrates (from beet juices or extracts) have gained relevance due to their vasodilatory effect, which has contributed to improving athletic performance. Their use has been studied mainly in continuous sports such as swimming, cycling, athletics, etc. However, research in intermittent sports (such as ball or combat sports) is limited and inconclusive, so further research is needed on their use and effect in these sports. Therefore, the study seeks to investigate the effect of administering beet extract for three consecutive days in rugby athletes, evaluating its effect on various physical capacities required for the specific sport, such as acceleration, speed, strength, and fitness. Due to the small number of participants, a randomization process is not possible. A representative sample of 44 is required, but only 10 are interested in participating. Therefore, the sample will be selected based on the number of people willing to participate (convenience sampling) and meeting the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each athlete is subsequently characterized and evaluated by the nutritionist, who provides instructions on how to avoid consuming foods or substances that could affect the study. They will be provided with the necessary substrates three days before the physical tests, with one group receiving the beetroot substrate and the other a placebo. The following week, the groups will be double-blinded. The physical tests will be performed by a professional physiotherapist, who will apply the test protocol and use a Borg scale to assess perceived exertion. Finally, a descriptive and exploratory analysis will be performed on the collected data, using univariate tests for the mean (Student's t-test) or Wilcoxon tests, depending on the type of variable (continuous or ordinal), with a 95% confidence level. To measure the magnitude of the treatment effect on each measured variable, Cohen's d statistic will be used for those variables that required a t-test.

Study Design

Study Type: Interventional
Allocation: Non Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover
Primary Purpose: Other
Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)

Masking Description

A person external to the study was tasked with providing a compound to each group and ensuring they were exchanged during the second sample collection, ensuring that both groups received both compounds (the placebo and nitrates) at the end of the study. The professional who performed the physical tests was also blinded throughout the study. Thus, participants knew they would receive a placebo and beetroot, but they were not aware of the order in which they were given the compound.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages: 18 Years to 40 Years (Adult)
Sex: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria

•Belong to one of the two Rugby Clubs invited to participate
•Legal age
•Have trained/played rugby for more than 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria

•Have had a sports injury in the last 6 months or during the study
•Use of nutritional supplements during the study.
•Use of mouthwash during the study.
•Have health conditions that require specific medical treatment.