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THE EFFECTS OF DIETARY BEETROOT JUICE SUPPLEMENTATION ON SIMPLE REACTION TIME AND AGILITY PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Ashleigh Davis, Ashley Rice, Justin Moody, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM, Tyler D. Williams, Rebecca R. Rogers. Samford University, Birmingham, AL.

BACKGROUND: Beetroot juice is a nitrate rich supplement commonly used as an ergogenic aid for resistance and endurance exercise performance. Additionally, previous research shows beetroot juice can decrease simple reaction time in adults with type 2 diabetes; however, this has never been studied in healthy adults. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of acute beetroot juice supplementation on simple reaction time and agility performance in young adults. METHODS: In this double-blinded study, physically active, college-age males (21.3±1.2 yrs, 92.1±12.8 kg, 72.7±2.8 in) were recruited. The study was approved by the university Institutional Review Board. All participants completed a health history and informed consent. Participants visited our laboratory two times and completed four simple reaction time or agility tests: a simple reaction time test, the home base drill, the semi-circle drill, and the universal drill. All drills used FITLIGHT target sensors to record reaction time and time to completion. Two hours prior to the visit, participants either consumed 140 mL of beetroot juice (BRJ) or placebo (black currant juice) (PL). The BRJ and PL trials were randomized and counterbalanced. Each visit was separated by a 72-hour washout period. RESULTS: Simple reaction time (p=0.28), home base drill reaction time (p=0.07), semi-circle drill reaction time (p=0.83), and universal drill reaction time (p=0.98) were not significantly different between BRJ and placebo trials. Additionally, time to completion on the simple reaction time test (p=0.49), home base drill (p=0.54), semi-circle drill (p=0.36), and the universal drill (p=0.45) were not significantly different between conditions. CONCLUSION: Findings do not support the acute use of beetroot juice supplementation for improving simple reaction time and agility performance in healthy, physically active men.

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