Nitrate Supplementation on Motor Unit Activity

Northumbria University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy; Dietary Supplements

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplementtaion; Dietary Supplement: Nitrate supplementation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05993715

5951

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aimed to assess if nitrate supplementation influence motor unit (MU) activity following a sustained ischemic contraction and whether this is affected by blood flow restriction (BFR) during the recovery period. Fourteen male participants (mean ± SD, 25 ± 6 years) completed two experimental trials following 5-days of supplementation with either nitrate-rich (NIT) or nitrate-depleted (PLA) beetroot juice in a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design. Intramuscular electromyography was used to assess MU potential (MUP) size and firing rates (MUFR) during a submaximal (25% MVC) sustained isometric contraction with BFR. These variables were also assessed during a 90 s recovery period with the first half completed with, and the second half completed without, BFR. Nitrate supplementation can expedite the recovery of MUP duration following a sustained ischemic contraction in healthy adults. These novel observations improve understanding of the effects of nitrate on the recovery of neuromuscular function post-exercise and might have implications for recovery of muscle contractile function.

Enrollment: 14 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male between 18 - 30 years
• free from known respiratory insufficiency, cardiovascular disease and neuro-musculo-skeletal problems at present or in the preceding 6 months.
• having at least 5 years competitively (team) sport experience.

Exclusion criteria

• having cardiovascular disease, neuromuscular disease and any lower limb injury and treatment for chronic respiratory complaints.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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14 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Nitrate supplementation

Experimental group

Description:

2 × 70 mL/day shots of concentrate nitrae-rich (\~12.8 mmol/day NO3-) beetroot juice. Two shots were supplemented for 5 days; one each morning (\~9 am) and one each evening (\~9 pm) except for the day of the experimental trial when both shots were taken together 2.5 h before the experimental trial.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Nitrate supplementation

Placebo supplementation

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

2 × 70 mL/day shots of concentrate nitrate-depleted (\~0.08 mmol/day NO3-) beetroot juice. Two shots were supplemented for 5 days; one each morning (\~9 am) and one each evening (\~9 pm) except for the day of the experimental trial when both shots were taken together 2.5 h before the experimental trial.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplementtaion