EFEITO DA INGESTÃO DE SUCO DE BETERRABA NO DESEMPENHO DE CORREDORES EM UM TESTE DE 3 KM

Abstract

Athletes have been looking for nutritional supplements with potential ergogenic effects that improve sports performance. Beetroot juice (SB) has been frequently used as an ergogenic supplement due to the inorganic nitrate present in its composition. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ingesting 250ml of SB with normal nitrate concentration on the performance of endurance runners. Ten recreational, trained, male runners, aged 18.20±2.44 years, body mass 69.64±10.09 kg, height 1.76±0.09 centimeters and BMI 22.42±2.21 (kg/m2) underwent 3 Km running tests. Two tests were carried out 48 hours apart, SB and sham (PLA) were ingested 30 minutes before the start of each test. The duration of the race, maximum heart rate, capillary blood glucose, blood pressure and subjective perception of exertion were evaluated. No significant differences were observed in the test duration, maximum heart rate and final blood glucose after ingesting the drinks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure after the test was higher in SB. Subjective perceived exertion was reduced by SB intake when compared to PLA. In conclusion, the results indicate that beetroot juice is not efficient in improving the performance of runners in a 3 km test. However, it reduces the perception of effort.