Influence of Nitrate Supplementation on Motor Unit Activity During Recovery Following a Sustained Ischemic Contraction.
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Northumbria University
- Enrollment
- 14
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Motor Unit Activity
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study aimed to assess if nitrate supplementation influence motor unit (MU) activity following a sustained ischemic contraction and whether this is affected by blood flow restriction (BFR) during the recovery period. Fourteen male participants (mean ± SD, 25 ± 6 years) completed two experimental trials following 5-days of supplementation with either nitrate-rich (NIT) or nitrate-depleted (PLA) beetroot juice in a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design. Intramuscular electromyography was used to assess MU potential (MUP) size and firing rates (MUFR) during a submaximal (25% MVC) sustained isometric contraction with BFR. These variables were also assessed during a 90 s recovery period with the first half completed with, and the second half completed without, BFR. Nitrate supplementation can expedite the recovery of MUP duration following a sustained ischemic contraction in healthy adults. These novel observations improve understanding of the effects of nitrate on the recovery of neuromuscular function post-exercise and might have implications for recovery of muscle contractile function.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Investigator)
Masking Description
Supplements were allocated in a randomised order and double-blind design by an independent technician who had no further involvement in this study. The randomization and blinding were held until the end of the study.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 30 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- Male
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Male between 18 - 30 years
- •free from known respiratory insufficiency, cardiovascular disease and neuro-musculo-skeletal problems at present or in the preceding 6 months.
- •having at least 5 years competitively (team) sport experience.
Exclusion Criteria
- •having cardiovascular disease, neuromuscular disease and any lower limb injury and treatment for chronic respiratory complaints.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Motor Unit Activity
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, post-exercise, recovery (45 s)
Duration (ms), area (uV.ms), firing rate (Hz)
Plasma Nitrite Level
Time Frame: Pre-exercise
concentration \[nmol\]
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Dr Ozcan Esen
Assistant Professor
Northumbria University