Effect of Beetroot Juice on Anaerobic Performance and Fatigue in Adolescent Male Swimmers
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Istanbul Bilgi University
- Enrollment
- 14
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Freestyle Time Trial (TT) Swimming Performance Test
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The effects of beet juice supplementation on different types of physical performance have been examined in many studies. However, although the number of studies, including the effect of beet juice on physical performance, measuring blood lactate and fatigue levels in swimmers, is limited, most studies focused on acute intake. This study investigated the effects of beetroot juice on anaerobic performance, fatigue, and blood lactate in adolescent male swimmers.Swimmers underwent a single-blind intervention, consuming either a 2x250 ml placebo (0.6 mmol NO3- ) or beetroot juice (8 mmol NO3-) (rich in nitrate, NO3-) for six days. Performance was measured through an 8x100-meter maximal effort swim, with blood lactate and perceived fatigue assessed before and after.
Detailed Description
This study, designed as a single-blind intervention study, was conducted in October-November 2023 with adolescent swimmers. . In determining the sample, effect size d (effect size): 1.6975 and standard deviation was taken as 4.12, and the minimum number of samples determined for Power: 0.95 and α: 0.05 in the G*Power 3.1.9 computer program was determined as seven adolescents. Adolescent swimmers with a medical condition diagnosed by a physician, following a special diet, and using regular medication were excluded from the study. Anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, body composition, skin fold measurements), freestyle time trial (TT) swimming performance test, blood lactate measurement and the Borg fatigue scale were taken.
Anthropometric Measurements Body Weight, Height, and Body Composition: The heights of the swimmers were measured with the SECA 213 brand portable stadiometer, with the feet side by side and the head on the Frankfurt plane. Body weight and composition were measured in the morning on an empty stomach, with light clothing, without shoes or socks, using a 0.1 kg sensitive TANITA MC-780 Black professional body composition device.
Skinfold Thickness Measurements: Swimmers' skinfold thicknesses were taken from the triceps, biceps, subscapular, supraspinal, abdomen, thigh, calf, chest, and midaxillary regions using Holstein brand calipers. Measurements were madein accordance with the ISAK protocol (Norton, 2018). The body fat ratio was calculated with the Foulkner (1968) equation, which was developed to calculate the body fat ratio from skinfold thickness measurements on the face.
Freestyle Time Trial (TT) Swimming Performance Test The swimmers' 8x100 m maximum effort swimming performance times were recorded with the help of a Seiko S141 300 memory stopwatch brand stopwatch with 1/100 second precision. A polar watch was attached to the swimmers' right arms, and measurements were taken every 100 m. The start of the performance was made from the sprint stone with the command (take your mark) followed by an electronic beep. 100 m freestyle swimming performance was performed by swimmers with maximum performance.
Blood Lactate Measurement: The blood lactate measurement was completed after the 8x100 m maximum effort swimming performance; blood samples taken from the finger within 10 seconds were analyzed using the Lactate Pro 2 analyzer. Lactate values were recorded in mmol/l.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Non Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Masking Description
Beetroot juice or a placebo drink with the same organoleptic properties was given to the swimmers participating in the study. Participants did not know whether the drink they drank was placebo or beetroot juice.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 13 Years to 18 Years (Child, Adult)
- Sex
- Male
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •13-18 ages of adolescent swimmers
- •Becoming a licensed swimmer in a sports club
Exclusion Criteria
- •Adolescent swimmers with a medical condition diagnosed by a physician, following a special diet, and using regular medication
Arms & Interventions
Pre-Intervention
In order to determine their standard performance in the first stage before the intervention, the swimmers were subjected to the 8x100 m freestyle maximum effort swimming test at 07:00 on Saturday morning without drinking any beverages. The sets were performed in 2 minutes, and the performance times for each 100-meter run were recorded with a stopwatch. At the end of the 8x100 meter test, the blood lactate values of the swimmers were measured 1 minute later with the Lactate Pro 2 analyzer. Additionally, the Borg Fatigue scale was administered to each swimmer after lactate measurement to measure fatigue levels. After the end of the test, placebo drinks were distributed to the swimmers for the second phase.
No information was given about whether the drinks given to the swimmers were beet juice or placebo. The swimmers participating in the study were doing double training three days a week and single training on the other days except Sunday.
Placebo Intervention
In the second stage of the research, swimmers were subjected to the 8x100 m freestyle maximum effort swimming test on the same day and time of the week after consuming a placebo drink. The swimmers' blood lactate values and fatigue scale were reapplied using the same procedure. After the analysis of the results of the placebo intervention, beetroot juice drinks were distributed to the swimmers to be used in the third stage. Swimmers were asked to consume 2x250 ml of beet juice on weekdays and 1x250 ml on Saturdays before the performance test. Swimmers consumed beetroot juice 2.5 hours before training on double training days. On single training days during the week, the patient was asked to consume 2x250 ml of beetroot juice at similar times to other days.
Intervention: Plesabo Drink (Other)
Beetroot Juice Intervention
In the third and final stage of the study, the 8x100 meter freestyle maximum effort performance test, blood lactate test, and Borg scale were repeated to make final evaluations of beet juice consumption on the same day and time, and the study was concluded.
Intervention: Beetroot Juice (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Freestyle Time Trial (TT) Swimming Performance Test
Time Frame: Swimmers' 8x100 m maximum effort swimming performance times were measured and recorded for 3 weeks, before the intervention, on Saturday after consuming placebo drink and beet juice, under similar conditions.
Performance Test
Blood Lactate Measurement
Time Frame: Blood lactate measurement was measured and recorded before the intervention, after consuming placebo drink and beetroot juice, and after completing the 8x100 m maximum effort swimming performance, under similar conditions, for 3 weeks.
Blood Lactate Lactate
Borg Fatigue Scale
Time Frame: Swimmers' fatigue was measured for 3 weeks using a Borg Fatigue Scale after performance tests. Minimum and maximum score is 0-10. Higher scores indicate greater fatigue.
Fatigue
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Hande Seven Avuk
Head of Nutrition and Dietetic Department, Clinical Assistant Professor
Istanbul Bilgi University