European journal of sport scienceJun 30, 2020

Beetroot juice and its effects on muscle endurance, maximum strength, and jump performance

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Updated Mar 29, 2026

Abstract

Plasma nitrate concentrations were significantly higher in the nitrate-rich beetroot juice group (879 ± 239 μmol/L) compared to the nitrate-depleted group (33 ± 13 μmol/L).

Countermovement jump height was similar between the nitrate-rich and nitrate-depleted groups (39.3 ± 6.3 cm vs. 39.6 ± 6.3 cm, respectively).
Muscular endurance measured by total workload showed no significant difference between treatments (3.93 ± 0.69 kJ for nitrate-rich vs. 3.90 ± 0.66 kJ for nitrate-depleted).
Isometric strength did not differ between the two groups at both tested angles.
Isokinetic knee extension power was also similar across all tested velocities.
A significant increase in isokinetic knee flexion power was observed at 60°·s following nitrate-rich ingestion compared to the nitrate-depleted group, but not at higher velocities.

Simplified

: Dietary nitrate has been shown to enhance muscle contractile function and has, therefore, been linked to increased muscle power and sprint exercise performance. However, the impact of dietary nitrate supplementation on maximal strength, performance and muscular endurance remains to be established.: Fifteen recreationally active males (25 ± 4 y, BMI 24 ± 3 kg/m) participated in a randomized double-blinded cross-over study comprising two 6-d supplementation periods; 140 mL/d nitrate-rich (BR; 985 mg/d) and nitrate-depleted (PLA; 0.37 mg/d) beetroot juice. Three hours following the last supplement, we assessed countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, maximal strength and power of the upper leg by voluntary isometric (30° and 60° angle) and isokinetic contractions (60, 120, 180 and 300°·s), and muscular endurance (total workload) by 30 reciprocal isokinetic voluntary contractions at 180°·s.: Despite differences in plasma nitrate (BR: 879 ± 239 vs. PLA: 33 ± 13 μmol/L, < 0.001) and nitrite (BR: 463 ± 217 vs. PLA: 176 ± 50 nmol/L, < 0.001) concentrations prior to exercise testing, CMJ height (BR: 39.3 ± 6.3 vs. PLA: 39.6 ± 6.3 cm; = 0.39) and muscular endurance (BR: 3.93 ± 0.69 vs. PLA: 3.90 ± 0.66 kJ; = 0.74) were not different between treatments. In line, isometric strength ( > 0.50 for both angles) and isokinetic knee extension power ( > 0.33 for all velocities) did not differ between treatments. Isokinetic knee flexion power was significantly higher following BR compared with PLA ingestion at 60°·s( = 0.001), but not at 120°·s( = 0.24), 180°·s( = 0.066), and 300°·s( = 0.36).: Nitrate supplementation does not improve maximal strength, countermovement jump performance and muscular endurance in healthy, active males. Purpose Methods Results P P P P P P P P P P Conclusion2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

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Beetroot juice and its effects on muscle endurance, maximum strength, and jump performance

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