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One Week of a Betalain-Rich Beetroot Concentrate Does Not Improve 4 km Time-Trial Performance but Impairs Repeated Sprint Cycling Performance in Trained Cyclists
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

One Week of a Betalain-Rich Beetroot Concentrate Does Not Improve 4 km Time-Trial Performance but Impairs Repeated Sprint Cycling Performance in Trained Cyclists

Steven Vitti, Meghan E Smith, Sean Killip, Alyssa Sarkisov, Grace Frattellone, Craig Mattern and Justin Faller
Physiologia, v 5(4), 54
04 Dec 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5040054
Featured in Collection :   Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
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https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5040054View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access Discount via Drexel Libraries Read and Publish Program 2025CC BY V4.0,  Open

Abstract

beetroot betalains high-intensity cycling antioxidant anti-inflammatory Exercise Physiology
Purpose: We aimed to assess the effects of one-week betalain-rich beetroot concentrate (BRC) supplementation on high-intensity cycling performance in trained cyclists. Methods: Eighteen male (n = 15) and female (n = 3) cyclists (age: 38.83 ± 8.09; weight: 73.23 ± 10.95 kg; height: 176.86 ± 9.60 cm) were supplemented with a BRC or a placebo (PLA) for six days prior to the experimental trials. On the seventh day, a final dose was administered, and participants completed three all-out 15 s cycling sprints back-to-back, followed by a 4 km cycling time trial (TT). Physiological indicators related to performance were measured throughout the 4 km TT. Results: Sprint performance remained unchanged following PLA treatment. However, BRC treatment led to significant reductions in sprint performance during sprints 2 and 3 compared to sprint 1 (p < 0.05). Time trial performance did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). Significant increases in physiological and psychological responses during the 4-km time trial were observed following both treatments (p < 0.05). However, heart rate was higher at 2 km compared to 1 km, the respiratory exchange ratio was slightly elevated at 2 km and 4 km relative to 1 km, and VO2 was slightly higher at 3 km and 4 km compared to pre-TT following BRC treatment only (p < 0.05). Conclusions: One week of a BRC does not enhance 4 km TT performance but may impair repeated-sprint performance in trained cyclists.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Physiology
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