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Beetroot Juice: a Natural Aid for Boosting the Health Benefits of Exercise in Post-menopausal Women? (BEETBOOST)

11 maggio 2026 aggiornato da: Ann-Katrin Grotle, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Menopause and ageing bring several changes to women's health, partly due to a decline in the hormone estrogen. This reduction affects multiple systems in the body, including muscles and bones, and also influences the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a key role in regulating blood flow and blood pressure. An reduced ability to produce nitric oxide is associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Many women also experience lower levels of physical activity and changes in body composition during midlife, such as increased body fat and reduced muscle mass and strength, which may further decrease exercise capacity.

This PhD project investigates whether a simple, natural strategy, combining exercise with beetroot juice, can help postmenopausal women achieve greater benefits from exercise. Beetroot juice is naturally rich in nitrates, which the body can convert into nitric oxide, thereby enhancing blood flow. Exercise itself also stimulates nitric oxide production, and together these approaches may have additive or even synergistic effects.

The study examines whether consuming beetroot juice before exercise can enhance training adaptations and health outcomes in postmenopausal women. Key outcomes include cardiovascular function, body composition, musculoskeletal function, and aerobic capacity.

Some evidence suggests that beetroot juice may amplify the body's response to exercise, which could be particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women, who often face greater barriers to physical activity. By exploring this combined approach, the project aims to evaluate a safe, non-pharmacological strategy to improve physical function and overall health in women after menopause.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Reclutamento

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Descrizione dettagliata

Menopause and ageing are associated with significant changes in women's health, partly due to the decline in estrogen production. Estrogen contributes to the regulation of cardiovascular function and metabolism, as well as the maintenance of musculoskeletal health, in part by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production, a key signalling molecule involved in vascular function. Ageing per se is also linked to reduced NO bioavailability, meaning that postmenopausal women may experience a combined decline driven by both lower estrogen levels and age-related physiological changes. Together, these factors are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic dysfunction, reduced exercise tolerance, and potential declines in quality of life.

This PhD project examines a non-pharmacological approach: the combination of beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation and exercise (BRJ+EX). Both BRJ and exercise can enhance NO production through different pathways, which may result in additive effects. This approach may be relevant for postmenopausal women, in whom both estrogen-related and age-related NO production are reduced.

The study will investigate whether BRJ+EX can influence exercise-induced adaptations, including changes in cardiometabolic health, body composition, musculoskeletal function, and exercise tolerance, compared with placebo beetroot juice combined with exercise (BRJplacebo+EX). Some recent evidence suggests that BRJ ingestion prior to combined exercise training may enhance certain training responses, which could be particularly relevant for postmenopausal women who may experience barriers to exercise. Thus, building on this evidence, this study aim to test the hypothesis that pre-workout ingestion of BRJ enhances exercise adaptions in post-menopausal women comprehensively.

Furthermore, given the lack of information on the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this study also aim to explore whether HRT modulates exercise adaptions by also including women taking HRT.

Overall, this project aims to contribute to the evidence base on non-pharmacological approaches to supporting health and physical function in postmenopausal women.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

60

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Backup dei contatti dello studio

Luoghi di studio

  • Norvegia
      • Bergen, Norvegia, 5063
        • Reclutamento
        • Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
        • Contatto:
        • Investigatore principale:
          • Ann-Katrin Grotle, PhD
        • Contatto:

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto
  • Adulto più anziano

Accetta volontari sani

No

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Self-reported biological female and postmenopausal (≥12 months of amenorrhea)
  • Aged 50-70 years
  • Body mass index (BMI) 25-39.9 kg/m²
  • No contraindications to exercise
  • Physically inactive (<150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity)
  • Able to walk on a treadmill and ambulate without limitations
  • Adequate proficiency in Norwegian to complete questionnaires
  • Willingness and ability to comply with the study schedule and visits

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Known allergy to nitrates or beetroot juice
  • Current smoker or use of nicotine/tobacco products
  • Resting blood pressure <90/60 mmHg
  • Hypertension greater than stage II (≥160/100 mmHg, ESH criteria)
  • Use of prescription medications affecting heart rate (e.g., systemic β-adrenergic blockers) or nitrate availability (e.g., nitrates, proton pump inhibitors)
  • History of cardiovascular disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, valvular disease, or aortic aneurysm)
  • Symptoms suggestive of heart disease (e.g., chest pain or dyspnea)
  • Major metabolic disease (e.g., type 1 or type 2 diabetes) or thyroid disorders
  • Recent cancer diagnosis or treatment (within the past 5 years)
  • Significant orthopedic limitations or other contraindications to exercise
  • Diagnosed cognitive impairment
  • Planned travel or elective surgery that would interfere with adherence to the intervention
  • Psychological or social factors that may interfere with study participation
  • Residing beyond a reasonable distance from the study site (logistical constraints)

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Prevenzione
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Triplicare

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: Nitrate rich
Integratore alimentare: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training
Intervention includes 3 sessions per week of combined strength and resistance exercise. Two of the sessions are supervised, while the third session is unsupervised-home-based.
Comparatore placebo: Nitrate depleted
Integratore alimentare: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training
Intervention includes 3 sessions per week of combined strength and resistance exercise. Two of the sessions are supervised, while the third session is unsupervised-home-based.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Maximal oxygen uptake
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) will be measured using a standardized incremental exercise test to volitional exhaustion on a cycle ergometer, with continuous analysis of expired gases (indirect calorimetry). VO₂max will be determined as the highest VO₂ value achieved during the test and reported as ml/min and ml/kg/min. Validity of test will be determined based on established criteria such as a plateau in oxygen uptake despite increasing workload, a respiratory exchange ratio above a predefined threshold (e.g., ≥1.10), and/or attainment of age-predicted maximal heart rate. When a clear plateau is not observed, the highest recorded VO₂ (VO₂peak) will be reported.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Skeletal muscle strength
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Maximal upper- and lower-body strength will be determined using a Keiser pneumatic leg press and chest press machine as well as handgrip dynamometer using standardized protocols. Maximal strength for will be defined as the highest load achieved and will be reported in kilograms (kg).
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Exercise economy
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Exercise economy will be assessed during a standardized incremental lactate threshold test using indirect calorimetry. Oxygen consumption (VO₂) will be measured during submaximal exercise stages below the lactate threshold, and exercise economy will be defined as the steady-state oxygen cost at a given absolute workload. Exercise economy will be reported as oxygen consumption relative to workload (e.g., mL·kg-¹·min-¹ or L·min-¹ at a standardized power output or speed), with lower oxygen cost indicating better exercise economy.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Lean mass
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Lean mass changes will be assessed using validated body composition analysis methods, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), according to site-specific standard operating procedures. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of exercise training under standardized conditions. Total and regional lean mass will be measured and reported in kilograms and % of total mass.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Resting blood pressure
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Resting blood pressure control will be assessed after >15 minutes of supine rest under standardized condition by measuring systolic and diastolic blood pressure five times during a 10 minute resting period, with at least one minute between measurements. A validated automated device will be used. The average of five systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements will be used for reporting and is reported in mmHg.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Blood pressure reactivity
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Blood pressure reactivity will be assessed as the change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to standardized stress tasks (e.g., isometric handgrip exercise and cold pressor test). Reactivity will be quantified as the difference between resting baseline MAP and peak MAP achieved during each stress task and will be reported in mmHg.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention

Altre misure di risultato

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Arterial stiffness
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Arterial stiffness will be assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in accordance with established expert consensus guidelines. Pulse wave velocity will be determined from the transit time of the arterial pulse waveform between the carotid and femoral arteries, measured in the supine position following a standardized rest period. Arterial stiffness will be reported as cfPWV in meters per second (m/s), with higher values indicating greater arterial stiffness.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Endothelial function
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Endothelial function will be assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in accordance with current expert consensus guidelines. FMD will be measured using high-resolution ultrasound following a standardized period of forearm occlusion and subsequent reactive hyperemia. Endothelial function will be quantified as the percentage change in brachial artery diameter from baseline to peak post-occlusion diameter and reported as FMD (%), with higher values indicating better endothelial function.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Pelvic floor strength
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Pelvic floor muscle strength will be assessed using a vaginal pressure manometer (Camtech manometer). Participants will be examined in a supine position and covered with a towel for privacy. A small pressure-sensitive vaginal probe will be inserted into the vagina, and participants will perform three maximal voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions. The highest recorded value will be used for analysis and reported in cmH₂O, with higher values indicating greater muscle strength. The Camtech manometer has demonstrated validity and normative reference values are available for the relevant age group.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Fat mass
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Fat mass changes will be assessed using validated body composition analysis methods, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), according to site-specific standard operating procedures. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of exercise training under standardized conditions. Total and regional fat mass will be measured and reported in kilograms and %.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Visceral fat
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Visceral adipose tissue will be assessed from whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans using manufacturer-specific software algorithms for estimation of abdominal visceral fat. Visceral adipose tissue will be reported in grams (g) or volume (cm³), with higher values indicating greater visceral fat accumulation.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Fasting triglyserides
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Fasting triglyceride concentrations will be assessed from venous blood samples collected following an overnight fast. Blood samples will be analyzed using standard enzymatic laboratory methods. Fasting triglyceride levels will be reported in mmol/L, with lower values indicating a more favorable lipid profile.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Fasting glukose
Lasso di tempo: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Fasting glucose concentrations will be assessed from venous blood samples collected following an overnight fast. Blood samples will be analyzed using standard clinical laboratory methods. Fasting glucose levels will be reported in mmol/L, with lower values indicating better glycemic control.
Before and after 12 weeks of intervention

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Investigatori

  • Investigatore principale: Ann-Katrin Grotle, PhD, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Effettivo)

11 febbraio 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

1 gennaio 2030

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

1 gennaio 2033

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

19 marzo 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

30 aprile 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

7 maggio 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

13 maggio 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

11 maggio 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 maggio 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Parole chiave

Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • AKGrotle

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

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