NitratesBEET_SPRINTNCT06675682
Beetroot Juice Effects on Contractile or Neuromuscular Properties in Male Trained Sprinters
A study testing Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training in people with Nitrates and Placebo, run by Universidad Pontificia Comillas at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Beetroot juice is a rich source of nitrate (NO3-), which serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) via the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-) to NO conversion pathway. This pathway is believed to enhance vasodilation and improve neuromuscular function, such as by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and re-uptake… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- What is being tested?
- Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 17 Mar 2021to 31 Mar 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Between 18 to 40 years old.
- With a regular training practise in track and field disciplines \> 5 years.
Who cannot join
- Intolerance to beetroot juice or NO3- derivatives
- Presence of any chronic pathology or injury within three months prior to the study-
- Use of medications or supplements (e.g., caffeine) during the study.
- Failure to attend all experimental sessions.
- Failure to adhere to the dietary guidelines established in the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Acute Ingestion of Beetroot Juice Does Effects on Contractile or Neuromuscular Properties in Male Trained Sprinters: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study.
Beetroot juice is a rich source of nitrate (NO3-), which serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) via the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-) to NO conversion pathway. This pathway is believed to enhance vasodilation and improve neuromuscular function, such as by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and re-uptake, leading to enhanced force production in type II muscle fibers and improved muscle contractile recruitment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on muscle contractile properties, as assessed by tensiomyography, and neuromuscular performance in sprint-trained athletes.
Read the detailed description
Sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding scientific field that has experienced a significant increase in interest from the academic community over the past decade. Despite the extensive marketing of numerous nutritional products that claim to optimize athlete health, function, and performance, only a limited number of sports foods or dietary supplements have been supported by robust evidence for enhancing performance. Among these, caffeine, creatine, beetroot juice, β-alanine, and bicarbonate are notable for their validated efficacy, though the effectiveness of these supplements can vary based on the specific event, context of use, and the individual athlete's goals and responsiveness.
Beetroot juice, in particular, is a rich source of nitrate (NO3-), which serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) through the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-) to NO conversion pathway. This pathway is believed to promote vasodilation and improve neuromuscular function, such as by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and re-uptake, leading to enhanced force output in type II muscle fibers and improved muscle contractile recruitment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on muscle contractile properties, as assessed by tensiomyography, and neuromuscular performance in sprint-trained athletes. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the physiological effects induced by beetroot juice intake in short-distance track and field disciplines.
- Being tested
- Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training
- Keywords
- Sport nutrition, Track and field, Tensiomyography, Athletes, Nitrates
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise TrainingDietary supplement
Player randomization was performed using an online tool (https://www.randomizer.org/). An independent researcher assigned alphanumeric codes to each sequence to ensure blinding of both sprint athletes and researchers during the trials. Each player participated in two identical experimental trials separated by one week to allow physical recovery between testing occasions and washout from the beetroot juice treatment.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot juice supplementation | Experimental | One serving 70 mL of beetroot juice (6.4 mmol of NO3-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) 2.5 h before initiating the testing session. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training |
| Placebo supplementation | Placebo comparator | One serving 70 mL of beetroot juice placebo (0.04 mmol of NO3-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) 2.5 h before initiating the testing session. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Tensiomyography changes (seconds): Delay time (Td) ; Contraction time (Tc) ; Sustain time (Ts) ; Relaxation time (Tr)
The measurement of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis muscles was conducted using tensiomyography. We analyzed different parameters such as selay time (Td) as a time between the electrical impulse and 10% of the contraction; Contraction time (Tc) as a time between 10% and 90% of the contraction; Sustain time (Ts) as a time between 50% of the contraction and 50% of the relaxation; Relaxation time (Tr) as a time between 90% and 50% of the relaxation.
Measured: 1-week
Changes in 60-m and 100-m sprint test (seconds)
Time to complete 60-m and 100-m sprint test using photocell timing gates
Measured: 1-week
Secondary outcomes (4)
Changes in maximal countermovement and squat jump height (cm)
Maximal jump height using a contact platform
Measured: 1-week.
Changes in nitrites and nitrates levels in saliva (μmol/L)
Using specific kit ELISA analysis
Measured: 1-week
Changes in side effects questionnarie
Questionnarie based on side-effects related to beetroot juice ingestion (A scale consisting of nine items, each answered with "yes" or "no")
Measured: 1-week
Changes in rate of perception effort
Using rate of perceived exertion scale (1-10 points)
Measured: 1-week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Nov 2024
- Study start17 Mar 2021
- Primary completion24 Mar 2021
- Study completion31 Mar 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for NitratesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Pontificia Comillas
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Universidad de León, Anglia Ruskin University, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Alvaro López Samanes, PhD, Study director, Universidad Pontificia Comillas
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06675682
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UPC_Comillas
- Acronym
- BEET_SPRINT
- Status last verified
- Aug 2024
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2024
- Last updated
- 5 Nov 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Lopez-Samanes A, Moreno-Perez D, Aguilar-Navarro M, Munoz A, Lopez-Moreno M, Garces-Rimon M, Diez-Vega I, Roberts J, Del Coso J. Acute beetroot juice ingestion fails to improve sprint performance and neuromuscular function in trained male sprinters: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2026 Dec 31;23(1):2674220. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2026.2674220. Epub 2026 May 18.
PubMed 42148901
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Nov 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Ingestion of Beetroot Juice Does Effects on Contractile or Neuromuscular Properties in Male Trained Sprinters: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06675682
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BEET_SPRINT / UPC_Comillas
- Keywords
- Sport nutrition, Track and field, Tensiomyography, Athletes, Nitrates
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Pontificia ComillasUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Universidad de León, Anglia Ruskin University, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
- Study start
- 17 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 24 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Beetroot juice is a rich source of nitrate (NO3-), which serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) via the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-) to NO conversion pathway. This pathway is believed to enhance vasodilation and improve neuromuscular function, such as by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and re-uptake, leading to enhanced force production in type II muscle fibers and improved muscle contractile recruitment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on muscle contractile properties, as assessed by tensiomyography, and neuromuscular performance in sprint-trained athletes.
Detailed description
Sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding scientific field that has experienced a significant increase in interest from the academic community over the past decade. Despite the extensive marketing of numerous nutritional products that claim to optimize athlete health, function, and performance, only a limited number of sports foods or dietary supplements have been supported by robust evidence for enhancing performance. Among these, caffeine, creatine, beetroot juice, β-alanine, and bicarbonate are notable for their validated efficacy, though the effectiveness of these supplements can vary based on the specific event, context of use, and the individual athlete's goals and responsiveness.
Beetroot juice, in particular, is a rich source of nitrate (NO3-), which serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) through the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-) to NO conversion pathway. This pathway is believed to promote vasodilation and improve neuromuscular function, such as by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and re-uptake, leading to enhanced force output in type II muscle fibers and improved muscle contractile recruitment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on muscle contractile properties, as assessed by tensiomyography, and neuromuscular performance in sprint-trained athletes. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the physiological effects induced by beetroot juice intake in short-distance track and field disciplines.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot juice supplementation | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise TrainingOne serving 70 mL of beetroot juice (6.4 mmol of NO3-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) 2.5 h before initiating the testing session. |
| Placebo supplementation | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise TrainingOne serving 70 mL of beetroot juice placebo (0.04 mmol of NO3-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) 2.5 h before initiating the testing session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Between 18 to 40 years old.
- With a regular training practise in track and field disciplines \> 5 years.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Intolerance to beetroot juice or NO3- derivatives
- Presence of any chronic pathology or injury within three months prior to the study-
- Use of medications or supplements (e.g., caffeine) during the study.
- Failure to attend all experimental sessions.
- Failure to adhere to the dietary guidelines established in the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise TrainingPlayer randomization was performed using an online tool (https://www.randomizer.org/). An independent researcher assigned alphanumeric codes to each sequence to ensure blinding of both sprint athletes and researchers during the trials. Each player participated in two identical experimental trials separated by one week to allow physical recovery between testing occasions and washout from the beetroot juice treatment. | Dietary supplement | Beetroot juice supplementation, Placebo supplementation |
Primary outcome
Tensiomyography changes (seconds): Delay time (Td) ; Contraction time (Tc) ; Sustain time (Ts) ; Relaxation time (Tr)
Time frame: 1-week
The measurement of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis muscles was conducted using tensiomyography. We analyzed different parameters such as selay time (Td) as a time between the electrical impulse and 10% of the contraction; Contraction time (Tc) as a time between 10% and 90% of the contraction; Sustain time (Ts) as a time between 50% of the contraction and 50% of the relaxation; Relaxation time (Tr) as a time between 90% and 50% of the relaxation.
Changes in 60-m and 100-m sprint test (seconds)
Time frame: 1-week
Time to complete 60-m and 100-m sprint test using photocell timing gates
4 secondary outcomes
Changes in maximal countermovement and squat jump height (cm)
Time frame: 1-week.
Changes in nitrites and nitrates levels in saliva (μmol/L)
Time frame: 1-week
Changes in side effects questionnarie
Time frame: 1-week
Changes in rate of perception effort
Time frame: 1-week
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Nov 2024.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42148901Lopez-Samanes A, Moreno-Perez D, Aguilar-Navarro M, Munoz A, Lopez-Moreno M, Garces-Rimon M, Diez-Vega I, Roberts J, Del Coso J. Acute beetroot juice ingestion fails to improve sprint performance and neuromuscular function in trained male sprinters: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2026 Dec 31;23(1):2674220. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2026.2674220. Epub 2026 May 18.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Alvaro López Samanes, PhD study director
Universidad Pontificia Comillas
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) and Exercise Training in people with Nitrates and Placebo, run by Universidad Pontificia Comillas at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Tensiomyography changes (seconds): Delay time (Td) ; Contraction time (Tc) ; Sustain time (Ts) ; Relaxation time (Tr) (time frame: 1-week). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06675682, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Nov 2024.