Dietary nitrate supplementation improves sprint and high intensity intermittent running performance.
The influence of dietary nitrate (NO3 supplementation on indices of maximal sprint and intermittent exercise performance is unclear. PURPOSE To investigate the effects of NO3 supplementation on sprint running performance, and cognitive function and exercise performance during the sport specific Yo Yo Intermittent Recovery level 1 test (IR1) METHODS In a double blind, randomized, crossover study, 36 male team sport players received NO3 rich (BR; 70 mL*day 1; 6.4 mmol of NO3 and NO3 depleted (PL; 70 mL*day 1; 0.04 mmol NO3 beetroot juice for 5 days. On day 5 of supplementation, subjects completed a series of maximal 20 m sprints followed by the Yo Yo IR1. Cognitive tasks were completed prior to, during and immediately following the Yo Yo IR1. RESULTS BR improved sprint split times relative to PL at 20 m (1.2% BR 3.98 0.18 vs. PL 4.03 0.19 s; P 0.05) 10 m (1.6% BR 2.53 0.12 vs. PL 2.57 0.19 s; P 0.05) and 5 m (2.3% BR 1.73 0.09 vs. PL 1.77 0.09 s; P 0.05) The distance covered in the Yo Yo IR1 test improved by 3.9% (BR 1422 502 vs. PL 1369 505 m; P 0.05) The reaction time to the cognitive tasks was shorter in BR (615 98 ms) than PL (645 120 ms; P 0.05) at rest but not during the Yo Yo IR1. There was no difference in response accuracy. CONCLUSIONS Dietary NO3 supplementation enhances maximal sprint and high intensity intermittent running performance in competitive team sport players. Our findings suggest that NO3 supplementation has the potential to improve performance in single sprint or multiple sprint (team) sports.
Nitric oxide biology and chemistry