Exercise PhysiologyNCT07840014
Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice on Aerobic Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Amateur Female Soccer Players
A study testing Nitrate-rich beetroot juice in people with Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition, run by Sakarya Applied Sciences University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice on Aerobic Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Amateur Female Soccer Players Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Physiology, Sports Nutrition, Cardiorespiratory Fitness
- What is being tested?
- Nitrate-rich beetroot juice
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 13 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 2 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Female
- Aged 18 years or older
- Licensed soccer player for at least 3 years
Who cannot join
- Use of pharmacological treatment or supplements/ergogenic aids that could affect exercise performance, including stimulants such as caffeine
- Presence of musculoskeletal, ligament, bone, neurological, or joint pathology incompatible with the exercise protocol
- Current cardiovascular problems
- Participation in additional sports or physical activities during the study period that could affect the study outcomes
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Sakarya University of Applied Sciences Esentepe Campus Sports Sciences Faculty
Sakarya
About this study
Official title: Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Aerobic Performance, Muscle Oxygenation, and Physiological Responses in Amateur Female Soccer Players
Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice on Aerobic Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Amateur Female Soccer Players
Read the detailed description
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study evaluated the acute effects of nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplementation on aerobic performance, muscle oxygenation, and selected physiological responses in amateur female soccer players.
Thirteen participants completed two experimental conditions in randomized order, separated by a 7-day washout period. In one condition, participants consumed 70 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice containing 6.4 mmol of nitrate, while in the other condition they consumed an equal volume of low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo containing <0.1 mmol of nitrate. Each beverage was consumed 2.5 hours before exercise testing.
Aerobic performance was assessed using a treadmill-adapted 12-minute Cooper test. Total distance covered and estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) were evaluated as performance outcomes. Muscle oxygen saturation was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. Heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, and rating of perceived exertion were also assessed at predefined time points. Participants and investigators conducting the experimental procedures were blinded to the supplementation condition, and the supplementation sequence was generated by an independent researcher who was not involved in the experimental procedures or statistical analyses.
- Being tested
- Nitrate-rich beetroot juice, Low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo beverage
- Keywords
- Beetroot juice, Dietary nitrate, Aerobic performance, Muscle oxygenation, Female soccer players
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Nitrate-rich beetroot juiceDietary supplement
Participants consumed a single 70 mL dose of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (Beet It Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) containing 6.4 mmol (approximately 400 mg) of nitrate. The supplement was ingested 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test.
Low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo beverageOther
Participants consumed a single 70 mL dose of low-calorie blackcurrant beverage (Pfanner, Austria) containing negligible nitrate (<0.1 mmol). The placebo was ingested 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot Juice, Then Placebo | Experimental | Participants first received 70 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice containing 6.4 mmol nitrate. After a 7-day washout period, they received 70 mL of low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo containing <0.1 mmol nitrate. Each beverage was consumed 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice; Other: Low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo beverage |
| Placebo,Then Beetroot Juice | Experimental | Participants first received 70 mL of low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo containing <0.1 mmol nitrate. After a 7-day washout period, they received 70 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice containing 6.4 mmol nitrate. Each beverage was consumed 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice; Other: Low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo beverage |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Distance Covered During the 12-Minute Cooper Test
Total distance covered, expressed in meters, during a self-paced treadmill-adapted 12-minute Cooper test. Participants were instructed to cover the greatest possible distance within 12 minutes and were allowed to adjust treadmill speed throughout the test.
Measured: During the 12-minute exercise test performed 2.5 hours after supplementation in each crossover condition
Secondary outcomes (6)
Estimated Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max)
Estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), expressed as mL·kg-¹·min-¹, was calculated from the total distance covered during the treadmill-adapted 12-minute Cooper test using the classical Cooper equation.
Measured: At completion of the 12-minute exercise test performed 2.5 hours after supplementation in each crossover condition.
Muscle Oxygen Saturation (SmO₂)
Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂), expressed as a percentage, was assessed in the vastus lateralis using near-infrared spectroscopy (Moxy Monitor, Fortiori Design LLC, Spicer, MN, USA).
Measured: Baseline (2 minutes before warm-up), during the 12-minute exercise test, and early post-exercise (approximately 2-3 minutes after exercise) in each crossover condition.
Heart Rate
Heart rate, expressed as beats per minute, was recorded using a Polar V800 heart rate monitor. Values were summarized as the 1-minute pre-exercise mean, mean heart rate during the 12-minute exercise test, and recovery heart rate.
Measured: Pre-exercise, continuously during the 12-minute exercise test, approximately 2-3 minutes post-exercise, and approximately 29-30 minutes post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure, expressed in mmHg, was measured using an automated blood pressure monitor (Omron M2, Omron Healthcare Co., Kyoto, Japan). Three consecutive readings were obtained at each time point and averaged.
Measured: Before supplementation, pre-exercise, 3 minutes post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Blood Glucose
Capillary blood glucose, expressed in mg/dL, was measured from a finger-prick blood sample using a portable glucose analyzer (Plusmed Accuro, Taiwan).
Measured: Immediately before supplementation, pre-exercise (2 minutes before warm-up), and immediately post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Rating of perceived exertion was assessed using the Borg 6-20 scale, where higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion.
Measured: Baseline and immediately post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion2 Sep 2025
- Study completion2 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Exercise PhysiologyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Participants completed both intervention conditions in randomized order. Each participant received beetroot juice in one period and placebo in the other, with a 7-day washout period between conditions.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 13 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sakarya Applied Sciences University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Melike Nur Eroğlu, Sakarya Applied Sciences University
- Investigators
- MELIKE N EROGLU, Principal investigator, Sakarya Applied Sciences University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07840014
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SUBU-BJ-2025-01
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, subject to ethical and privacy considerations.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Aerobic Performance, Muscle Oxygenation, and Physiological Responses in Amateur Female Soccer Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07840014
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SUBU-BJ-2025-01
- Keywords
- Beetroot juice, Dietary nitrate, Aerobic performance, Muscle oxygenation, Female soccer players
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 13 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sakarya Applied Sciences UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice on Aerobic Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Amateur Female Soccer Players
Detailed description
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study evaluated the acute effects of nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplementation on aerobic performance, muscle oxygenation, and selected physiological responses in amateur female soccer players.
Thirteen participants completed two experimental conditions in randomized order, separated by a 7-day washout period. In one condition, participants consumed 70 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice containing 6.4 mmol of nitrate, while in the other condition they consumed an equal volume of low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo containing <0.1 mmol of nitrate. Each beverage was consumed 2.5 hours before exercise testing.
Aerobic performance was assessed using a treadmill-adapted 12-minute Cooper test. Total distance covered and estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) were evaluated as performance outcomes. Muscle oxygen saturation was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. Heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, and rating of perceived exertion were also assessed at predefined time points. Participants and investigators conducting the experimental procedures were blinded to the supplementation condition, and the supplementation sequence was generated by an independent researcher who was not involved in the experimental procedures or statistical analyses.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants completed both intervention conditions in randomized order. Each participant received beetroot juice in one period and placebo in the other, with a 7-day washout period between conditions.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot Juice, Then Placebo | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice, Other: Low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo beverageParticipants first received 70 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice containing 6.4 mmol nitrate. After a 7-day washout period, they received 70 mL of low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo containing <0.1 mmol nitrate. Each beverage was consumed 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test. |
| Placebo,Then Beetroot Juice | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice, Other: Low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo beverageParticipants first received 70 mL of low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo containing <0.1 mmol nitrate. After a 7-day washout period, they received 70 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice containing 6.4 mmol nitrate. Each beverage was consumed 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Female
- Aged 18 years or older
- Licensed soccer player for at least 3 years
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Use of pharmacological treatment or supplements/ergogenic aids that could affect exercise performance, including stimulants such as caffeine
- Presence of musculoskeletal, ligament, bone, neurological, or joint pathology incompatible with the exercise protocol
- Current cardiovascular problems
- Participation in additional sports or physical activities during the study period that could affect the study outcomes
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-rich beetroot juiceParticipants consumed a single 70 mL dose of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (Beet It Pro Elite Shot, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK) containing 6.4 mmol (approximately 400 mg) of nitrate. The supplement was ingested 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test. | Dietary supplement | Beetroot Juice, Then Placebo, Placebo,Then Beetroot Juice |
| Low-nitrate blackcurrant placebo beverageParticipants consumed a single 70 mL dose of low-calorie blackcurrant beverage (Pfanner, Austria) containing negligible nitrate (<0.1 mmol). The placebo was ingested 2.5 hours before the 12-minute exercise test. | Other | Beetroot Juice, Then Placebo, Placebo,Then Beetroot Juice |
Primary outcome
Distance Covered During the 12-Minute Cooper Test
Time frame: During the 12-minute exercise test performed 2.5 hours after supplementation in each crossover condition
Total distance covered, expressed in meters, during a self-paced treadmill-adapted 12-minute Cooper test. Participants were instructed to cover the greatest possible distance within 12 minutes and were allowed to adjust treadmill speed throughout the test.
6 secondary outcomes
Estimated Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max)
Time frame: At completion of the 12-minute exercise test performed 2.5 hours after supplementation in each crossover condition.
Muscle Oxygen Saturation (SmO₂)
Time frame: Baseline (2 minutes before warm-up), during the 12-minute exercise test, and early post-exercise (approximately 2-3 minutes after exercise) in each crossover condition.
Heart Rate
Time frame: Pre-exercise, continuously during the 12-minute exercise test, approximately 2-3 minutes post-exercise, and approximately 29-30 minutes post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Blood Pressure
Time frame: Before supplementation, pre-exercise, 3 minutes post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Blood Glucose
Time frame: Immediately before supplementation, pre-exercise (2 minutes before warm-up), and immediately post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-exercise in each crossover condition.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, subject to ethical and privacy considerations.
Related trials for Exercise Physiology
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Different Exercise Types on Irisin, Leptin, and Ghrelin Levels in Sedentary Women
Exercise Physiology, Metabolic Hormones
Not yet recruiting
Blood Parameter Changes Following Aerobic Exercise in Professional Soccer Players
Exercise Physiology, Blood Parameters
Recruiting
Effects of Pre-Run Nutritional Supplements During a Fixed-Pace 5 km Treadmill Run
Exercise Physiology, Nutritional Supplementation
Recruiting
Exercise Intensity and Postprandial Effects of Breaking Sedentary Behavior in Overweight Adults
Cardiovascular Risk Markers, Postprandial Metabolism
Not yet recruiting
Using a Personalized Decision Support Tool to Help People With Type 1 Diabetes Manage Exercise
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Exercise Physiology
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
MELIKE N EROGLU principal investigator
Sakarya Applied Sciences University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Nitrate-rich beetroot juice in people with Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition, run by Sakarya Applied Sciences University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Distance Covered During the 12-Minute Cooper Test (time frame: During the 12-minute exercise test performed 2.5 hours after supplementation in each crossover condition). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.