Dose-response Effects of Dietary Nitrate on Running Time-to-exhaustion and Neuromuscular Fatigue: a Randomized Crossover Exploratory Pilot Study

NCT07735455 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CEI-130- 2688
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 9
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Dietary nitrate is a natural compound found in vegetables such as beetroot and leafy greens. Previous research suggests that consuming nitrate before exercise may improve endurance and physical performance. However, it is still unclear whether higher doses provide greater benefits, particularly in recreationally trained individuals. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether different doses of dietary nitrate taken before exercise influence endurance performance and muscle fatigue during a running test in recreationally trained men. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study compared the effects of a placebo and three different doses of dietary nitrate consumed before exercise. On separate occasions, participants completed the same treadmill running test to exhaustion after ingesting the assigned supplement. Measures of muscle performance, blood lactate concentration, and perceived exertion were collected before and after exercise to evaluate the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation.

Conditions

Health Adult Subjects

Keywords

beetroot juice; exercise tolerance; muscle power; recreational athletes; acute supplementation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Time to Exhaustion (TTE)

  Time to exhaustion during a constant-speed treadmill running test performed at the speed corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold (VT2). Time was recorded in seconds from the start of the test until volitional exhaustion.

  Baseline (single exercise session, approximately 2.5 hours after supplementation)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height

  Immediately before supplementation exercise and immediately after exercise

• Drop Jump (DJ) Height

  Immediately before exercise and immediately after exercise

• Isometric Deadlift Peak Force

  Immediately before supplementation and immediately after exercise

• Blood Lactate Concentration

  Immediately before exercise and immediately after exercise

• Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

  Immediately after exercise

Study Arms (4)

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants receive placebo before exercise.

Other: Placebo

4.8 mmol Dietary Nitrate

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive 4.8 mmol dietary nitrate before exercise.

Dietary Supplement: Dietary Nitrate

8.1 mmol Dietary Nitrate

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive 8.1 mmol dietary nitrate before exercise.

Dietary Supplement: Dietary Nitrate

11.3 mmol Dietary Nitrate

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive 11.3 mmol dietary nitrate before exercise.

Dietary Supplement: Dietary Nitrate

Interventions

Dietary Nitrate DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants received a single acute dose of dietary nitrate before exercise. Three doses were evaluated (4.8 mmol, 8.1 mmol, and 11.3 mmol), administered approximately 2.5 hours before the treadmill running test.

11.3 mmol Dietary Nitrate; 4.8 mmol Dietary Nitrate; 8.1 mmol Dietary Nitrate

Placebo OTHER

Participants received a nitrate-depleted placebo beverage approximately 2.5 hours before the treadmill running test.

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Male adults aged 18 to 40 years.
• Recreationally trained, performing endurance or combined endurance/resistance exercise at least 3 times per week for the previous 6 months.
• Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) consistent with recreational training status.
• Able to perform maximal treadmill running exercise.
• Willing and able to comply with all study procedures.
• Provided written informed consent before participation

You may not qualify if:

• Current smoking or use of nicotine products.
• History of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders that could affect exercise performance or participant safety.
• Current use of medications or dietary supplements known to influence nitric oxide metabolism or exercise performance (e.g., nitrate supplements, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, antibacterial mouthwash).
• Allergy or intolerance to beetroot or any component of the study supplements.
• Following a vegetarian or vegan diet, or habitually consuming a high-nitrate diet.
• Consumption of alcohol, caffeine, or strenuous physical exercise within the period restricted by the study protocol before each experimental visit.
• Failure to comply with pre-test dietary or behavioral instructions. Participation in another clinical trial within the previous 30 days.
• Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, could interfere with study participation or interpretation of the results.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Autonoma de Madrid: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Wylie LJ, Kelly J, Bailey SJ, Blackwell JR, Skiba PF, Winyard PG, Jeukendrup AE, Vanhatalo A, Jones AM. Beetroot juice and exercise: pharmacodynamic and dose-response relationships. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2013 Aug 1;115(3):325-36. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00372.2013. Epub 2013 May 2.

  PMID: 23640589 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Helios Pareja Galeano

  Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2026
• First Posted: July 30, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2025
• Study Completion: September 30, 2025
• Last Updated: July 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)