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Impact of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Executive Function During Hypoxic Exercise
Shohei Dobashi1,2, Katsuhiro Koyama3, Junko Endo4
11 Integrated Graduate School, Department of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan.
High Altitude Medicine & Biology
|April 26, 2019
Summary
Beetroot juice supplementation did not enhance executive function during exercise in hypoxia. Moderate exercise in low oxygen conditions did improve cognitive performance, but beetroot juice offered no additional benefit.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, can impair cognitive function, particularly executive functions.
- Beetroot juice is known for its nitrate content, which may improve oxygen utilization and cognitive performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on executive function during exercise in hypoxia.
- To determine if beetroot juice can mitigate cognitive impairments associated with low oxygen environments during physical exertion.
Main Methods:
- Eight healthy men consumed either beetroot juice or a placebo for 4 days.
- Participants performed leg cycling exercise in a hypoxic environment (FiO2 = 0.1395).
- Executive function was assessed using the color-word Stroop task at rest and during exercise, with physiological measures recorded.
Main Results:
- Exercise in hypoxia significantly shortened response time on the Stroop task compared to rest.
- No significant differences in cognitive performance or physiological measures were observed between beetroot juice and placebo groups during exercise.
- Response accuracy was marginally lower with beetroot juice supplementation during exercise.
Conclusions:
- Moderate exercise in hypoxia can partially improve executive function.
- Four-day beetroot juice supplementation does not appear to enhance executive function during hypoxic exercise.
- Further research is needed to explore the potential of beetroot juice in different hypoxic conditions or populations.
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