The Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Dynamic Apnea and Intermittent Sprint Performance in Elite Female Water Polo Players

in International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

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Kristin L. Jonvik Maastricht University
HAN University of Applied Sciences

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Jan-Willem van Dijk HAN University of Applied Sciences

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Joan M.G. Senden Maastricht University

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Luc J.C. van Loon Maastricht University
HAN University of Applied Sciences

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Lex B. Verdijk Maastricht University

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0293
Keywords:
ergogenic; nitrate; nitrite
In Print:
Volume 28: Issue 5
Page Range:
468–473
Restricted access

Nitrate-rich beetroot juice is thought to have ergogenic effects, particularly in conditions where oxygen availability is limited. Whether these effects also apply to elite athletes is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on dynamic apnea and intermittent sprint performance in elite female water polo players. In a double-blinded, randomized, crossover manner, the Dutch National female water polo team (N = 14) was subjected to two 6-day supplementation periods (1 and 2), with either 140 ml/day of nitrate-rich (BR; ∼800 mg/day nitrate) or nitrate-depleted (PLA) beetroot juice. Following blood sampling on Day 6, the athletes performed a maximal-distance front crawl swimming test without breathing (dynamic apnea test). In addition, intermittent sprint performance was assessed by performing 16 swim sprints of 15 m, in a 4 × 4 block with 30-s recovery between blocks (intermittent test). Distance covered during the dynamic apnea test did not differ between BR (49.5 ± 7.8 m) and PLA (46.9 ± 9.1 m, p = .178). However, when correcting for test order, the distance covered was significantly larger in BR versus PLA when BR was ingested in Period 2 (50.1 ± 8.5 vs. 42.8 ± 5.7 m, p = .002), whereas no difference was observed when BR was ingested in Period 1 (48.8 ± 7.4 vs. 52.3 ± 10.4 m, p = .10). The time to complete the intermittent test was not different between BR and PLA (316.0 ± 7.9 vs. 316.3 ± 6.9 s, p = .73). In conclusion, beetroot juice supplementation does not improve intermittent performance in elite female water polo players, but there may be a potential for ergogenic effects during dynamic apnea.

Jonvik, Senden, van Loon, and Verdijk are with the NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Verdijk is also with the Dept. of Human Movement Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Jonvik, van Dijk, and van Loon are with the Institute of Sports and Exercise Studies, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Address author correspondence to Lex B. Verdijk at lex.verdijk@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
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