Beetroot Beverage and Repeated Sprint Power Output During RAST

"Effects of a Beetroot-Based Functional Beverage on Repeated Sprint Performance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial"

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial aims to evaluate the acute effects of a nitrate-rich beetroot-based beverage on repeated sprint performance in trained athletes.

Ten athletes will complete two experimental conditions in randomized order: beetroot beverage (BET) and placebo (PLA), separated by a 7-day washout period. The beetroot beverage consists of 200 mL of a mixture containing beetroot, cocoa, and green tea, providing approximately 6.4 mmol of nitrate.

In each condition, participants will perform a Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), consisting of six maximal 35-meter sprints with 10 seconds of passive recovery between sprints. The primary outcome is mean power output across the six sprints.

Secondary outcomes include fatigue index, sprint-by-sprint power output, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (Borg 6-20 scale), maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), and sleep quality assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Exercise Performance; Nitrate Supplementation; Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Athletes
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Beetroot-based antioxidant beverage

Detailed Description

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial is designed to investigate the acute effects of a nitrate-rich beetroot-based beverage on repeated sprint performance in trained athletes.

Ten athletes will participate in two experimental sessions in randomized order: beetroot beverage (BET) and placebo (PLA). Randomization will determine the sequence of beverage administration. Participants and investigators will be blinded to treatment allocation.

After beverage ingestion, participants will perform a standardized warm-up followed by the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), consisting of six maximal 35-meter sprints with 10 seconds of passive recovery between sprints. Sprint time will be recorded using electronic timing, and power output will be calculated using body mass and sprint time.

The primary outcome measure is mean power output across all six sprints. Secondary outcomes include:

Fatigue index (percentage decrement across sprints)

Individual sprint power (S1-S6)

Heart rate response

Rating of perceived exertion (Borg 6-20 scale)

VO₂max (assessed at baseline)

Sleep quality measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)

A linear mixed-effects model will be used to analyze repeated sprint performance, including subject as a random intercept and treatment, sprint, and their interaction as fixed effects. Non-parametric tests will be applied when assumptions of normality are not met. Statistical significance will be set at p ≤ 0.05.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 10
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Emmanuel Omar Ponce Dávila, MC; Phone Number: +526142715782; Email: a327789@uach.mx

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy trained athletes

Age between 18-35 years

Regular training ≥3 times/week

No cardiovascular or metabolic disease

Exclusion Criteria:Healthy trained athletes

Age between 18-35 years

Regular training ≥3 times/week

No cardiovascular or metabolic disease

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Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Beetroot Beverage (BET); Participants consumed 200 mL of a beetroot-based antioxidant beverage containing beetroot, cocoa, and green tea extract, providing approximately 6.4 mmol of dietary nitrate. The beverage was ingested 2-3 hours before performing the exercise test.	Dietary supplement: Beetroot-based antioxidant beverage; Participants consumed 200 mL of a beetroot-based antioxidant beverage containing beetroot, cocoa, and green tea extract, providing approximately 6.4 mmol of dietary nitrate. The beverage was administered 2-3 hours before performing a Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). The formulation was designed to deliver nitrate and polyphenols with potential ergogenic and antioxidant effects. A 7-day washout period separated crossover conditions.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Beverage (PLA); Participants consumed 200 mL of a placebo beverage matched for color, taste, and texture but without nitrate or active antioxidant compounds. The beverage was ingested 2-3 hours before performing the exercise test.	Dietary supplement: Beetroot-based antioxidant beverage; Participants consumed 200 mL of a beetroot-based antioxidant beverage containing beetroot, cocoa, and green tea extract, providing approximately 6.4 mmol of dietary nitrate. The beverage was administered 2-3 hours before performing a Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). The formulation was designed to deliver nitrate and polyphenols with potential ergogenic and antioxidant effects. A 7-day washout period separated crossover conditions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mean power output (W) during six maximal 35-m sprints	Mean power output will be calculated from six maximal 35-m sprint efforts separated by standardized recovery intervals. Sprint time will be recorded and converted to power output (W). The mean value across all six sprints will be used as the outcome measure.	Baseline and immediately post-intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Ponce Dávila, E. O., Neder Suárez, D., Muñoz Daw, M. de J., Carrasco Legleu, C. E., & Benítez Hernández, Z. P. (2024). Diseño y análisis de una bebida deportiva a base de betabel. Revista Mexicana De Ciencias De La Cultura Física, 3(7), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.54167/rmccf.v3i7.1370

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 12, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 12, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 15, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Beetroot juice
• Other Study ID Numbers: Cl-062-23

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No