{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T05:00:22Z","timestamp":1787029222909,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,27]],"date-time":"2024-12-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1735257600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: This study addresses the growing interest in nutritional supplements that improve athletic performance in endurance sports. Previous research suggests that nitrates in beetroot juice enhance blood vessel dilation and oxygen delivery to muscles. However, the effects of these nitrates on cardiopulmonary performance in female athletes remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of beetroot juice supplementation on aerobic work capacity in female endurance athletes. Methods: A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was conducted to assess aerobic work capacity. Eighteen healthy female endurance athletes (22.9 \u00b1 5.6 years) participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group (placebo group n = 9), which received a nitrate-free placebo beverage, and the experimental group (beetroot juice group n = 9), which consumed 50 mL of beetroot juice concentrate (~6.2 mmol nitrate) two and a half hours before the second test. Results: The results showed that the beetroot juice group demonstrated significant improvements in minute ventilation (VE), respiratory equivalents (VE\/VO2 and VE\/VCO2), and heart rate (HR) (p &lt; 0.05). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) increased by 4.82% in the beetroot juice group (from 35.24 \u00b1 5.07 to 36.94 \u00b1 4.91 mL\u00b7min\u22121\u00b7kg\u22121), whereas a small decrease was observed in the placebo group. Conclusions: These findings indicate that beetroot juice may be an effective ergogenic aid, enhancing oxygen utilization and energy production during exercise in female athletes. In terms of practical applications, beetroot juice could contribute to improved athletic performance and serve as a valuable addition to athletes\u2019 nutritional plans. Future studies should explore the long-term effects, optimal dosages, and duration of supplementation in larger and more diverse populations.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17010063","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,1]],"date-time":"2025-01-01T13:37:51Z","timestamp":1735738671000},"page":"63","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Aerobic Capacity in Female Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Jekaterina","family":"Neteca","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1467-7509","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Una","family":"Veseta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy, Riga Stradins University, 5 J. Asara Street, LV-1009 Riga, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4077-7290","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Inga","family":"Liepina","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Riga Stradins University, 333 Brivibas Street, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9092-8432","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Katrina","family":"Volgemute","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Riga Stradins University, 333 Brivibas Street, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8027-9096","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Maija","family":"Dzintare","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Riga Stradins University, 333 Brivibas Street, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dmitry","family":"Babarykin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratories and Research Departments, Institute of Innovative Biomedical Technology, 2 In\u010dukalna Street, LV-1014 Riga, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100239","DOI":"10.1016\/j.phanu.2020.100239","article-title":"Evolution of the use of sports supplements","volume":"14","author":"Alonso","year":"2020","journal-title":"PharmaNutrition"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"114","DOI":"10.1123\/ijsnem.2021-0257","article-title":"Methodology Review: A Protocol to Audit the Representation of Female Athletes in Sports Science and Sports Medicine Research","volume":"32","author":"Smith","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Sport Nutr. Exerc. Metab."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lorenzo Calvo, J., Alorda-Capo, F., Pareja-Galeano, H., and Jim\u00e9nez, S.L. (2020). Influence of Nitrate Supplementation on Endurance Cyclic Sports Performance: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12061796"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zoughaib, W.S., Fry, M.J., Singhal, A., and Coggan, A.R. (2024). Beetroot juice supplementation and exercise performance: Is there more to the story than just nitrate?. Front. Nutr., 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2024.1347242"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dom\u00ednguez, R., Cuenca, E., Mat\u00e9-Mu\u00f1oz, J.L., Garc\u00eda-Fern\u00e1ndez, P., Serra-Paya, N., Estevan, M.C.L., Herreros, P.V., and Garnacho-Casta\u00f1o, M.V. (2017). Effects of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Cardiorespiratory Endurance in Athletes. A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu9010043"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2250","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000002363","article-title":"Ergogenic Effect of Nitrate Supplementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis","volume":"52","author":"Senefeld","year":"2020","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Casado, A., Dom\u00ednguez, R., Fernandes da Silva, S., and Bailey, S.J. (2021). Influence of Sex and Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation on 2 KM Running Performance. Appl. Sci., 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/app11030977"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Benjamim, C.J.R., de Sousa J\u00fanior, F.W., Porto, A.A., Andrade, C.V.G., de Figueiredo, M.\u00cd.L.S., Benjamim, C.J.R., da Silva Rodrigues, G., Rocha, E.M.B., Cavalcante, T.F., and Garner, D.M. (2023). Negligible Effects of Nutraceuticals from Beetroot Extract on Cardiovascular and Autonomic Recovery Response following Submaximal Aerobic Exercise in Physically Active Healthy Males: A Randomized Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 20.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20054019"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tan, R., Cano, L., Lago-Rodr\u00edguez, \u00c1., and Dom\u00ednguez, R. (2022). The Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Explosive Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19020762"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"San Juan, A.F., Dominguez, R., Lago-Rodr\u00edguez, \u00c1., Montoya, J.J., Tan, R., and Bailey, S.J. (2020). Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Weightlifting Exercise Performance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12082227"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yuschen, X., Choi, J.-H., Seo, J., Sun, Y., Lee, E., Kim, S.-W., and Park, H.-Y. (2024). Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation and Exercise on Cardiovascular Function in Healthy Men in Preliminary Study: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, and Crossover Trial. Healthcare, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare12131240"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.1016\/j.freeradbiomed.2018.07.010","article-title":"Sex differences in the nitrate-nitrite-NO(\u2022) pathway: Role of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria","volume":"126","author":"Kapil","year":"2018","journal-title":"Free Radic. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1235","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00444.2020","article-title":"Is the healthy respiratory system built just right, overbuilt, or underbuilt to meet the demands imposed by exercise?","volume":"129","author":"Dempsey","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-013-0029-x","article-title":"High-intensity interval training, solutions to the programming puzzle: Part I: Cardiopulmonary emphasis","volume":"43","author":"Buchheit","year":"2013","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"962","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cmet.2018.04.014","article-title":"Maximizing Cellular Adaptation to Endurance Exercise in Skeletal Muscle","volume":"27","author":"Hawley","year":"2018","journal-title":"Cell Metab."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1499","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-019-01136-3","article-title":"Resistance Priming to Enhance Neuromuscular Performance in Sport: Evidence, Potential Mechanisms and Directions for Future Research","volume":"49","author":"Harrison","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"442","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000002464","article-title":"Exercise Performance Is Impaired during the Midluteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle","volume":"53","author":"Freemas","year":"2021","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"822","DOI":"10.4103\/2249-4863.201148","article-title":"Effect of female sex hormones on cardiorespiratory parameters","volume":"5","author":"Godbole","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Fam. Med. Prim. Care"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rael, B., Alfaro-Magallanes, V.M., Romero-Parra, N., Castro, E.A., Cupeiro, R., Janse de Jonge, X.A.K., Wehrwein, E.A., and Peinado, A.B. (2021). Menstrual Cycle Phases Influence on Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise in Endurance-Trained Females. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18030860"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"80","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cpr.2018.06.005","article-title":"Estrogen, progesterone, and the menstrual cycle: A systematic review of fear learning, intrusive memories, and PTSD","volume":"66","author":"Garcia","year":"2018","journal-title":"Clin. Psychol. Rev."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"915","DOI":"10.1139\/apnm-2019-0063","article-title":"No longer beeting around the bush: A review of potential sex differences with dietary nitrate supplementation","volume":"44","author":"Wickham","year":"2019","journal-title":"Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4129","DOI":"10.1113\/JP284198","article-title":"Sex differences in human performance","volume":"602","author":"Hunter","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.1113\/JP279499","article-title":"Physiological and molecular sex differences in human skeletal muscle in response to exercise training","volume":"601","author":"Landen","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rowland, S.N., Da Boit, M., Tan, R., Robinson, G.P., O\u2019Donnell, E., James, L.J., and Bailey, S.J. (2023). Dietary Nitrate Supplementation Enhances Performance and Speeds Muscle Deoxyhaemoglobin Kinetics during an End-Sprint after Prolonged Moderate-Intensity Exercise. Antioxidants, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox12010025"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1016\/j.niox.2021.11.001","article-title":"Moving beyond inclusion: Methodological considerations for the menstrual cycle and menopause in research evaluating effects of dietary nitrate on vascular function","volume":"118","author":"Baranauskas","year":"2022","journal-title":"Nitric Oxide"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.3949\/ccjm.84a.15013","article-title":"Cardiopulmonary exercise testing: A contemporary and versatile clinical tool","volume":"84","author":"Leclerc","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clevel. Clin. J. Med."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"661","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0043-1770362","article-title":"Exercise Physiology and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing","volume":"44","author":"Sietsema","year":"2023","journal-title":"Semin. Respir. Crit. Care Med."},{"key":"ref_28","unstructured":"Kathy, E.S., Darryl, Y.S., and William, W.S. (2020). Wasserman Whipp\u2019s Principles of Exercise Testing and Interpretation, Ringgold, Inc.. [6th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1016\/j.freeradbiomed.2019.07.035","article-title":"Post-exercise hypotension and skeletal muscle oxygenation is regulated by nitrate-reducing activity of oral bacteria","volume":"143","author":"Cutler","year":"2019","journal-title":"Free Radic. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1043","DOI":"10.1139\/apnm-2013-0574","article-title":"Nitrate supplementation and high-intensity performance in competitive cyclists","volume":"39","author":"Hoon","year":"2014","journal-title":"Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, Academic Press. [Rev. ed.].","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203771587"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1016\/j.margeo.2006.08.001","article-title":"Comment on: \u201cOrpin, A.R. and Kostylev, V.E., 2006. Towards a statistically valid method of textural sea floor characterization of benthic habitats [Mar. Geol. 225 (1\u20134), 209\u2013222.]\u201d","volume":"232","author":"Hamilton","year":"2006","journal-title":"Mar. Geol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1144","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00722.2009","article-title":"Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces the O2 cost of low-intensity exercise and enhances tolerance to high-intensity exercise in humans","volume":"107","author":"Bailey","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1125","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e31821597b4","article-title":"Acute dietary nitrate supplementation improves cycling time trial performance","volume":"43","author":"Lansley","year":"2011","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1177\/1359786810382057","article-title":"Mortality trends in the general population: The importance of cardiorespiratory fitness","volume":"24","author":"Lee","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Psychopharmacol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e183605","DOI":"10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2018.3605","article-title":"Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Long-term Mortality Among Adults Undergoing Exercise Treadmill Testing","volume":"1","author":"Mandsager","year":"2018","journal-title":"JAMA Netw. Open"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jones, T., Dunn, E.L., Macdonald, J.H., Kubis, H.P., McMahon, N., and Sandoo, A. (2019). The Effects of Beetroot Juice on Blood Pressure, Microvascular Function and Large-Vessel Endothelial Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study in Healthy Older Adults. Nutrients, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu11081792"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"591","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.01070.2010","article-title":"Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces the O2 cost of walking and running: A placebo-controlled study","volume":"110","author":"Lansley","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"303","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-nutr-082117-051622","article-title":"Dietary Nitrate and Physical Performance","volume":"38","author":"Jones","year":"2018","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"615","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2013-0207","article-title":"The effect of variable doses of inorganic nitrate-rich beetroot juice on simulated 2000-m rowing performance in trained athletes","volume":"9","author":"Hoon","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform."},{"key":"ref_41","unstructured":"Neteca, J. (2024, January 16\u201318). Acute effect of beetroot juice supplements on aerobic performance of endurance in female athletes: A randomized controlled trial study. Proceedings of the 4th International Electronic Conference on Nutrients\u2014Plant-Based Nutrition Focusing on Innovation, Health, and Sustainable Food Systems, Online."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nyakayiru, J., Jonvik, K.L., Trommelen, J., Pinckaers, P.J., Senden, J.M., Van Loon, L.J., and Verdijk, L.B. (2017). Beetroot juice supplementation improves high-intensity intermittent type exercise performance in trained soccer players. Nutrients, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu9030314"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2334680","DOI":"10.1080\/15502783.2024.2334680","article-title":"Acute effects of various doses of nitrate-rich beetroot juice on high-intensity interval exercise responses in women: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial","volume":"21","author":"Jiaqi","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Int. Soc. Sports Nutr."}],"container-title":["Nutrients"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/17\/1\/63\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T17:01:43Z","timestamp":1760115703000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/17\/1\/63"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,27]]},"references-count":43,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1]]}},"alternative-id":["nu17010063"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu17010063","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6643"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-6643","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,27]]}}}