Beetroot Juice and Neuromuscular Performance in Female Basketball Players

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Placebo: Participants consumed one 70-mL serving of nitrate-depleted beetroot juice placebo (0.04 mmol of NO₃-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) daily for 5 consecutive days.

Beetroot juice supplementation: Participants consumed one 70-mL serving of nitrate-rich BJ (6.4 mmol of NO₃-; Beet-It-Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) daily for 5 consecutive days. On the final supplementation day, BJ was consumed 3 h before the testing session.

Study summary

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigates the effects of 5 days of nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplementation (70 mL·day-¹; 6.4 mmol NO₃-·day-¹) on physical performance in female basketball players. Performance will be evaluated using jump, 30-m sprint, agility, and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) tests, while RPE and potential side effects will be assessed through questionnaires. The study aims to address the limited evidence regarding the ergogenic effects of beetroot juice supplementation in female team-sport athletes.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Changes in maximal isometric handgrip strength (N) — 1-week
  Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull (IMTP): Lower-body maximal isometric strength will be assessed using the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) performed on VALD ForceDecks force platforms (VALD Performance, Brisbane, Australia). Participants will adopt a standardized mid-thigh pull position with the knees and hips slightly flexed and will be instructed to pull against an immovable bar as hard and as fast as possible. Ground reaction force will be recorded by the force platforms throughout each maximal effort. Peak force will be expressed both as absolute force (N) and relative to body mass (N·kg-¹). Participants will perform maximal trials separated by an appropriate recovery period, and the best trial will be retained for analysis.
• Changes in maximal jump height (cm) — 1-week
  Maximal Jump Height: Lower-body explosive performance will be assessed using the squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJ-AS). Jump performance will be measured using an OptoJump Next system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). Participants will perform maximal-effort trials for each jump condition following standardized instructions. Maximal jump height (cm) will be recorded for each jump type, and the best performance will be retained for analysis. Changes in maximal jump height following 5 days of supplementation will be compared between the nitrate-rich beetroot juice and placebo conditions.
• Changes in sprint time (s) — 1-week
  Sprint performance will be assessed by measuring the time required to complete 10-m, 20-m, and 30-m sprints using Microgate photocell timing gates (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). Participants will be instructed to sprint as fast as possible over the 30-m distance, with split times recorded at 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m. Sprint time will be recorded in seconds (s). Participants will perform maximal trials separated by an appropriate recovery period, and the best performance will be retained for analysis.
• Changes in agility test (s) — 1-week
  Modified T-Test Performance: Change-of-direction performance will be assessed using the modified T-test, with completion time measured using Microgate photocell timing gates (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). Participants will be instructed to complete the standardized course as quickly as possible, incorporating forward sprinting, lateral shuffling, and backward running. Completion time will be recorded in seconds (s). Participants will perform maximal trials separated by an appropriate recovery period, and the best performance will be retained for analysis.

Trial sites (1)

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