The Effect of Beetroot Powder on Exercise Performance in Competitive Swimmers

NCT07662460 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2025-08/318
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 21
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Swimming requires high energy in a short time and involves overcoming water resistance. Besides regular training, swimmers use supplements to enhance performance, correct nutrient deficiencies, and speed recovery. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) classifies supplements by evidence level, with nitrate in Group A. Nitrate aids vasodilation and muscle performance via conversion to nitric oxide (NO). About 25% of dietary nitrate converts to nitrite by oral bacteria, then to NO in the stomach-a valuable oxygen-independent pathway. NO improves exercise by enhancing oxygen efficiency, muscle contraction, and affecting type II fibers. Timing, dose, nitrate source, and individual traits influence its effect. Beetroot, rich in nitrate, is practical as juice for storage and consumption. Beetroot gels and juices raise plasma nitrate 1-3 hours post-consumption, effective during 10-17 minute exercises. Some studies found no improvement in short-distance swimming, but others reported dose-dependent benefits. Meta-analyses recommend 5-14.9 mmol nitrate ≥150 minutes before acute exercise, and 5-9.9 mmol for chronic intake. Highly trained athletes may need ≥6-8 mmol NO₃-. JECFA and the European Commission set acceptable daily intake (ADI) at 0-3.7 mg/kg body weight nitrate ion, safe for all ages. No long-term, controlled studies exist on beetroot powder's effect in swimmers. To address this, a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind crossover study was designed to evaluate beetroot powder supplementation's impact on competitive swimmers' performance, potentially contributing valuable knowledge.

Conditions

Competitive Swimmer; Beetroot Powder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in 200-meter swim performance time

  The duration (in seconds) required for the participant to complete a 200-meter freestyle swim, measured using a Seiko stopwatch.

  On the 3rd day of each 3-day intervention period (after beetroot or placebo supplementation).

• Blood lactate concentration

  Blood lactate levels (mmol/L) measured from capillary blood samples collected 3 minutes after completion of 200-meter swim test.

  Immediately post-exercise on the 3rd day of each 3-day intervention period (after beetroot or placebo supplementation).

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Perceived Fatigue

  On the 3rd day of each 3-day intervention period (after beetroot or placebo supplementation).

• Heart Rate Change

  On the 3rd day of each 3-day intervention period (after beetroot or placebo supplementation).

• Change in Perceived Physical and Cognitive Fatigue Scale (AFBYÖ) Scores

  On the 3rd day of each 3-day intervention period (after beetroot or placebo supplementation).

• Daily Energy and Nutrient Intake

  Collected during the 24-hour period prior to the 3rd day of each 3-day intervention period (both beetroot or placebo supplementation).

Study Arms (2)

Beetroot then Placebo

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will first receive 1,5 grams of beetroot powder contain jelly candy daily for 3 consecutive days. After a 14-day washout period, they will receive placebo jelly candy daily for 3 consecutive days.

Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Powder; Other: Placebo

Placebo then Beetroot

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will first receive placebo jelly candy daily for 3 consecutive days. After a 14-day washout period, they will receive 1,5 grams of beetroot powder contain jelly candy daily for 3 consecutive days.

Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Powder; Other: Placebo

Interventions

Beetroot Powder DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

1.5 g of beetroot powder (equivalent to 10 mmol nitrate) administered as a jelly candy.

Beetroot then Placebo; Placebo then Beetroot

Placebo OTHER

Color-matched, nitrate-free jelly candy.

Beetroot then Placebo; Placebo then Beetroot

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Voluntary participation with parental consent
• Age range: 18-24 years
• Participation in a training program for at least 18 hours per week
• No history of chronic disease
• Not currently using any sports supplements, food supplements, or medications
• Not following a special diet

You may not qualify if:

• Irregular training participation
• Presence of chronic diseases
• Failure to cease the use of food supplements one week prior to the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Halic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kartal Kosuyolu Yuksek Ihtisas Eah

Istanbul, Kartal, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

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Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: registered dietitian

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 16, 2026
• First Posted: June 23, 2026
• Study Start: December 22, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 22, 2026
• Study Completion: June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)