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01-11-2018 | Original Article

Effect of 1-week betalain-rich beetroot concentrate supplementation on cycling performance and select physiological parameters

Authors: Petey W. Mumford, Wesley C. Kephart, Matthew A. Romero, Cody T. Haun, C. Brooks Mobley, Shelby C. Osburn, James C. Healy, Angelique N. Moore, David D. Pascoe, William C. Ruffin, Darren T. Beck, Jeffrey S. Martin, Michael D. Roberts, Kaelin C. Young

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 11/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Betalains are indole-derived pigments found in beet root, and recent studies suggest that they may exert ergogenic effects. Herein, we examined if supplementation for 7 days with betalain-rich beetroot concentrate (BLN) improved cycling performance or altered hemodynamic and serum analytes prior to, during and following a cycling time trial (TT).

Methods

Twenty-eight trained male cyclists (29 ± 10 years, 77.3 ± 13.3 kg, and 3.03 ± 0.62 W/kg) performed a counterbalanced crossover study whereby BLN (100 mg/day) or placebo (PLA) supplementation occurred over 7 days with a 1-week washout between conditions. On the morning of day seven of each supplementation condition, participants consumed one final serving of BLN or PLA and performed a 30-min cycling TT with concurrent assessment of several physiological variables and blood markers.

Results

BLN supplementation improved average absolute power compared to PLA (231.6 ± 36.2 vs. 225.3 ± 35.8 W, p = 0.050, d = 0.02). Average relative power, distance traveled, blood parameters (e.g., pH, lactate, glucose, NOx) and inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα) were not significantly different between conditions. BLN supplementation significantly improved exercise efficiency (W/ml/kg/min) in the last 5 min of the TT compared to PLA (p = 0.029, d = 0.45). Brachial artery blood flow in the BLN condition, immediately post-exercise, tended to be greater compared to PLA (p = 0.065, d = 0.32).

Conclusions

We report that 7 days of BLN supplementation modestly improves 30-min TT power output, exercise efficiency as well as post-exercise blood flow without increasing plasma NOx levels or altering blood markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and/or hematopoiesis.

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Title: Effect of 1-week betalain-rich beetroot concentrate supplementation on cycling performance and select physiological parameters
Authors: Petey W. Mumford
Wesley C. Kephart
Matthew A. Romero
Cody T. Haun
C. Brooks Mobley
Shelby C. Osburn
James C. Healy
Angelique N. Moore
David D. Pascoe
William C. Ruffin
Darren T. Beck
Jeffrey S. Martin
Michael D. Roberts
Kaelin C. Young
Publication date: 01-11-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3973-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Effect of 1-week betalain-rich beetroot concentrate supplementation on cycling performance and select physiological parameters

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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