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Updated: May 14, 2026

Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
Published on: July 29, 2021
Dietary nitrate supplementation improves team sport-specific intense intermittent exercise performance
Lee J Wylie1, Magni Mohr, Peter Krustrup
1Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, St. Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK.
Dietary inorganic nitrate supplementation, found in beetroot juice, enhanced high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in team sport players. This suggests nitrate may be a beneficial ergogenic aid for athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Dietary inorganic nitrate (NO₃⁻) shows potential for improving muscle efficiency and endurance.
- Its effects on intense intermittent exercise, common in team sports, remain under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nitrate supplementation on high-intensity intermittent exercise performance.
- To examine the physiological responses to nitrate supplementation during such exercise.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, crossover study involving 14 male team-sport players.
- Participants consumed nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR) or a placebo (PL) over 30 hours before performing the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IR1).
- Plasma nitrite, lactate, glucose, and potassium concentrations were measured.
Main Results:
- Beetroot juice (BR) significantly increased resting plasma nitrite levels (~400%).
- Yo-Yo IR1 performance was 4.2% greater with BR compared to PL.
- BR intake led to lower mean blood glucose and a tendency for reduced plasma potassium rise during exercise.
Conclusions:
- Dietary nitrate supplementation enhances performance in high-intensity intermittent exercise.
- The nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway may facilitate improved muscle glucose uptake and excitability.
- Nitrate supplementation is a potential ergogenic aid for team sports players.
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