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Updated: May 21, 2026
07:19
Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
Published on: July 29, 2021
Dietary nitrate supplementation improves rowing performance in well-trained rowers
Hannah Bond1, Lillian Morton, Andrea J Braakhuis
1School of Sport and Exercise Science, Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Summary
Dietary nitrate supplementation from beetroot juice likely improved rowing performance in junior male rowers. Specifically, beetroot (BR) enhanced performance during later repetitions of maximal 500-m ergometer tests.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Dietary nitrate intake is linked to enhanced exercise performance.
- Beetroot (BR) is a rich source of dietary nitrate (NO₃⁻), a precursor to nitric oxide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of beetroot beverage supplementation on rowing performance.
- To assess if nitrate supplementation improves maximal rowing-ergometer repetitions.
Main Methods:
- Randomized crossover design involving 14 junior male rowers.
- Participants consumed 500 ml of BR or placebo (PL) daily for 6 days.
- Rowers completed 6 maximal 500-m ergometer repetitions post-supplementation, with a 7-day washout period.
Main Results:
- A likely benefit in average repetition time was observed with BR supplementation (0.4%).
- Repetitions 4-6 showed an almost certain improvement in rowing time with BR (1.7%).
- Physiological measures showed unclear differences between BR and PL conditions.
Conclusions:
- Nitrate supplementation via beetroot juice improved maximal rowing performance.
- Performance enhancement was particularly evident in the later stages of exercise.
- The precise physiological mechanisms underlying the performance improvement require further investigation.
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