Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
Published on: July 29, 2021
Dietary nitrate supplementation enhances heavy load carriage performance in military cadets
Nicholas C Bordonie1, Michael J Saunders1, Joaquin Ortiz de Zevallos2
1Department of Kinesiology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA.
Purpose:
To determine the effects of dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation on physiological responses, cognitive function, and performance during heavy load carriage in military cadets.
Methods:
Ten healthy males (81.0 ± 6.5 kg; 180.0 ± 4.5 cm; 56.2 ± 3.7 ml·kg·min-1 VO2max) consumed 140 mL·d-1 of beetroot juice (BRJ; 12.8 mmol NO3-) or placebo (PL) for six d preceding an exercise trial, which consisted of 45 min of load carriage (55% body mass) at 4.83 km·h-1 and 1.5% grade, followed by a 1.6-km time-trial (TT) at 4% grade. Gas exchange, heart rate, and perceptual responses were assessed during constant-load exercise and the TT. Cognitive function was assessed immediately prior to, during, and post-exercise via the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT).
Results:
Post-TT HR (188 ± 7.1 vs. 185 ± 7.4; d = 0.40; p = 0.03), mean tidal volume (2.15 ± 0.27 vs. 2.04 ± 0.23; p = 0.02; d = 0.47), and performance (770.9 ± 78.2 s vs. 809.8 ± 61.4 s; p = 0.03; d = 0.63) were increased during the TT with BRJ versus PL. There were no effects of BRJ on constant-load gas exchange or perceptual responses, and cognitive function was unchanged at all time points.
Conclusion:
BRJ supplementation improves heavy load carriage performance in military cadets possibly as a result of attenuated respiratory muscle fatigue, rather than enhanced exercise economy.
More Related Videos
09:04Skeletal Muscle Neurovascular Coupling, Oxidative Capacity, and Microvascular Function with 'One Stop Shop' Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: February 20, 2018
09:33Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise
Published on: December 19, 2024
Related Concept Videos
2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow....
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...