Acute and Chronic Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance in Healthy Resistance-Trained Adults.

Authors

Trevor J. Molnar, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Sydney N. Brennan, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Justin M. Foster, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Ryan Tran, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Raymond T. Gerardo, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Kyle S. Geppert, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Christopher B. Sottile, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Michael Egiazarian, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Abigail F. Ballhagen, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Stewart D. Gonzalez, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Adam Pennell, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Rachel Tan, Pepperdine UniversityFollow

Abstract

The efficacy of dietary nitrate supplementation for enhancing resistance exercise remains unclear, and nitrate dosing guidelines are relatively unexplored. PURPOSE: To determine whether acute and chronic dietary nitrate supplementation, provided in the form of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR), can improve resistance exercise performance in resistance-trained males. METHODS: Thirty-six resistance-trained males and females will be recruited. Participants will complete a standardized one-repetition maximum (1RM) test in barbell back squat and barbell bench press and a familiarization prior to experimental visits. In a randomized, double-blind, controlled, fashion, participants will complete two conditions of 14-day supplementation periods to consume: (1) nitrate-depleted beetroot juice placebo (PL, negligible nitrate per day) and (2) nitrate-rich beetroot juice (~6 mmol nitrate per day). On days 1 and 14 of each condition, participants will consume their supplement 2.5 h prior to exercise and along with breakfast on days 2-13. On experimental visits, participants will perform an experimental protocol to determine power and velocity in back squats and bench press, in a randomized order consistent within participants, consisting of 1 set × 3 repetitions at 55%1RM, 60%1RM, and 65% 1RM, with 2-min rest intervals between sets. Statistical analyses will be conducted using two-way repeated measures ANOVA to compare supplementation conditions (PL vs. BR) and time (day 1 vs day 14), with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests where appropriate. Effect sizes (η²) will be calculated. RESULTS: A subset of acute nitrate dosing data for n=5 is reported and remains blinded since data collection is ongoing. Peak power in back squats was recorded in Condition A (55%1RM 1385 ± 344 W, 60%1RM 1337 ± 319 W, 65%1RM 1428 ± 327 W) and Condition B (55%1RM 1315 ± 332 W, 60%1RM 1393 ± 322, 65%1RM 1375 ± 317 W). Mean power in back squats was recorded in Condition A (55%1RM 571 ± 93 W, 60%1RM 578 ± 99 W, 65%1RM 594 ± 96 W) and Condition B (55%1RM 554 ± 102 W, 60%1RM 587 ± 103, 65%1RM 575 ± 80 W). CONCLUSION: The findings from this study will provide new insights into whether acute or consecutive days of dietary nitrate supplementation have potential as an ergogenic aid for enhancing resistance exercise performance.

Recommended Citation

Molnar, Trevor J.; Brennan, Sydney N.; Foster, Justin M.; Tran, Ryan; Gerardo, Raymond T.; Geppert, Kyle S.; Sottile, Christopher B.; Egiazarian, Michael; Ballhagen, Abigail F.; Gonzalez, Stewart D.; Pennell, Adam; and Tan, Rachel (2025) "Acute and Chronic Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance in Healthy Resistance-Trained Adults.," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 93.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/93