Acute beetroot juice supplementation enhances judo-specific performance, explosive power, and muscular strength in recreational adolescent judokas: a randomized crossover trial

Abstract

Objective: Dietary supplementation with beetroot juice (BRJ), rich in nitrate, enhances nitric oxide bioavailability and may positively influence exercise performance. However, the impact of acute BRJ ingestion on judo-specific performance has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of BRJ on judo-specific performance, explosive power, back-muscle strength, and handgrip strength in recreational adolescent judokas. Methods: Thirty-five male adolescent recreational judokas completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, consuming either 140 mL of BRJ (similar to 12.8 mmol nitrate) or a placebo, with a 7-day wash-out. In each session, after a 4-min randori, athletes performed the Sargent jump test, back-strength dynamometer pulls, handgrip dynamometer trials, and the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), with a 10-s rest between each performance. Results: Compared to placebo, BRJ significantly increased explosive jump height (+3%, p < 0.05), back-muscle strength, (+3.2%, p < 0.01), handgrip strength (+8.4%, p < 0.01), and total SJFT throws (+2.4%, p < 0.05), while reducing 1-min post-SJFT heart rate (-7.9 bmin(-1), p < 0.001) and improving the SJFT index (-4%, p < 0.001). Immediate post-SJFT heart rate and perceived exertion did not differ between conditions (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Acute BRJ is a practical, natural ergogenic aid for adolescent judokas, enhancing explosive power, muscular strength, and judo-specific performance. These findings support the use of nitrate supplementation as an ergogenic aid for young athletes engaged in high-intensity, intermittent exercise activities.