Effects of Acute and Multi-day Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Power and Velocity of NCAA Division I Baseball Players

Authors

Justin M. Foster, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Raymond T. Gerardo, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Sydney N. Brennan, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Trevor J. Molnar, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Ryan Tran, 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

Dietary nitrate supplementation can enhance power via modulating type II muscle fiber contractility; however, no study has examined the ergogenic potential of nitrate in elite level power-based athletes that heavily rely on type II muscle fiber activation such as baseball players. Moreover, there are no nitrate dosing guidelines available for elite level athletes. PURPOSE: To investigate if acute and multi-day nitrate supplementation influences power and velocity during barbell back squat and barbell bench press in elite level baseball players. METHODS: Eighteen male collegiate baseball athletes (NCAA Division I) reported to the laboratory for 6 visits over ~8 weeks, and were randomized in a double-blind, crossover design to an 8-day supplementation period for two conditions: 1) nitrate-depleted beetroot juice placebo (PL; negligible nitrate per day) and 2) nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR; ~6 mmol of nitrate per day). Participants performed a onerepetition maximum (1RM), familiarization and an experimental protocol, based on the current power training program at our NCAA division 1 institution, consisting of barbell back squats and bench press for 1 set x 3 repetitions at 55%1RM, 60%1RM, and 65%1RM, with each set interspersed by 2 min of recovery. Peak and mean power and velocity were measured using a linear transducer. RESULTS: A subset of blinded data (n=9) for acute nitrate dosing are reported since data collection is ongoing. Squat peak power was recorded in Condition A (55%1RM 1818 ± 312 W, 60%1RM 1954 ± 413 W, 65%1RM 2029 ± 443 W) and Condition B (55%1RM 1792 ± 491 W, 60%1RM 1892 ± 525 W, 65%1RM 1990 ± 596 W). Squat mean power was recorded in Condition A (55%1RM 752 ± 110 W, 60%1RM 785 ± 120 W, 65%1RM 808 ± 116 W) and Condition B (55%1RM 728 ± 135 W, 60%1RM 754 ± 134 W, 65%1RM 772 ± 134 W). Bench peak power was recorded in Condition A (55%1RM 788 ± 266 W, 60%1RM 819 ± 269 W, 65%1RM 795 ± 260 W) and Condition B (55%1RM 780 ± 232 W, 60%1RM 804 ± 234 W, 65%1RM 793 ± 254 W). Bench mean power was recorded in Condition A (55%1RM 459 ± 132 W, 60%1RM 464 ± 130 W, 65%1RM 465 ± 131 W) and Condition B (55%1RM 470 ± 138 W, 60%1RM 478 ± 141 W, 65%1RM 433 ± 94 W). CONCLUSION: The results of this study will provide original insights in a sport-specific, elite level population, for resistance exercise performance and can directly impact coaches, and athletes in baseball.

Recommended Citation

Foster, Justin M.; Gerardo, Raymond T.; Brennan, Sydney N.; Molnar, Trevor J.; Tran, Ryan; Geppert, Kyle S.; Sottile, Christopher B.; Egiazarian, Michael; Ballhagen, Abigail F.; Gonzalez, Stewart D.; Pennell, Adam; and Tan, Rachel (2025) "Effects of Acute and Multi-day Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Power and Velocity of NCAA Division I Baseball Players," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 96.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/96