RT Journal Article
T1 Influence of Beetroot Juice Ingestion on Neuromuscular Performance on Semi-Professional Female Rugby Players: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
A1 López Samanes, Álvaro
A1 Ramos Álvarez, Juan José
A1 Miguel Tobal, Francisco
A1 Gaos, Sofía
A1 Jodra, Pablo
A1 Arranz Muñoz, Raquel
A1 Domínguez, Raúl
A1 Montoya Miñano, Juan José
AB Purpose: Beetroot juice (BRJ) is considered an ergogenic aid with good to strong evidence for improving human performance in sport modalities with similar demands to rugby. However, most of the studies were realized in male athletes with limited evidence in female athletes. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the acute ingestion of BRJ in female rugby players. Methods: Fourteen semi-professional female rugby players (25.0 ± 3.7 years) belonging to a team from the First Spanish Female Rugby Division participated in this study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups that realized a neuromuscular battery after BRJ (140mL, 12.8 mmol NO3−) or placebo (PLAC, 140 mL, 0.08 mmol NO3−) ingestion on two different days separated by one week between protocols. The neuromuscular test battery consisted of a countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric handgrip strength (i.e., dominant), 10-m and 30-m sprint, agility t-test and Bronco test. Afterwards, participants reported a rate of perception scale (6–20 points) and side effects questionnaire associated with BRJ or PLAC ingestion. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in CMJ (7.7%; p = 0.029; ES = 0.62), while no differences were reported in dominant isometric handgrip strength (−1.7%; p = 0.274; ES = −0.20); 10-m and 30-m sprint (0.5–0.8%; p = 0.441–0.588; ES = 0.03–0.18); modified agility t-test (−0.6%; p = 0.503; ES = −0.12) and Bronco test (1.94%; p = 0.459; ES = 0.16). Conclusions: BRJ ingestion could improve neuromuscular performance in the CMJ test, while no differences in sprint (10-m and 30-m sprint test), agility, isometric handgrip strength and endurance performance (i.e., Bronco test) were reported
PB MDPI
SN 2304-8158
YR 2022
FD 2022-11-12
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72297
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72297
LA eng
NO Banco Santander
NO Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
DS Docta Complutense
RD 13 may 2025