Beetroot Extract and Quality of Life in Adults Aged 75 and Over

Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) will be measured three times in a row, and the average of the three readings will be calculated.

Heart rate will be measured at rest, after the 6-minute walk test, and then 3 minutes after the test has finished.

This test measures cognitive control and attention by asking individuals to name the color of a word rather than the word itself. It evaluates the ability to manage interference between conflicting information.

This test assesses processing speed, attention, and working memory by requiring individuals to match symbols with corresponding numbers under time pressure. Faster and more accurate performance indicates better cognitive functioning.

This test evaluates visual attention and task switching by asking individuals to connect a sequence of numbers (Part A). It measures cognitive flexibility, speed, and executive function.

This test measures functional exercise capacity by assessing how far a person can walk in six minutes on a flat surface. It reflects endurance and helps evaluate cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal function.

Physical Function: Assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which combines balance, gait velocity, and leg strength as a single score on a 0 (worst) to 12 (best scale)

Handgrip strength and maximal concentric strength (leg press, chest press, knee extension, seated row machine). Changes in "1RM", defined as the maximum resistance/load a person can move in one repetition of an exercise will be assessed. These values are mesured in Kilograms and results are individualized.

Measurment of quality of life using EQ5D-3L, the patients indicate their health state by choosing one level for each of the five dimensions, creating a 5-digit code representing 243 possible health states. EQ VAS, includes a vertical Visual Analogue Scale (0-100) where patients rate their self-rated health, with 100 being the "best imaginable health state". Utility. The responses can be converted into a single index value (utility score) using country-specific valuation sets, where 1 represents full health and 0 represents death.

Number and type of medications will be recorded. Polypharmacy will be defined as the use of ≥5 medications. Psychotropic drug use and medications related to comorbid or intercurrent conditions (e.g., antibiotics) will also be documented

SATED : This questionnaire assesses sleep health across five dimensions: Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, and Duration. It provides a brief evaluation of overall sleep quality and habits.

Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) ranges from normal nutritional status (24-30points), risk of malnutrition (17-23.5points), or malnourished(<17points).

Barthel Index of independence during activities of dailyliving (ADLs) ranges from 0 (severe functional dependence) to 100 (functional independence).

This questionnaire measures physical activity levels by asking about the frequency and duration of different intensities of activity. It is used to estimate total physical activity and categorize individuals into activity levels.

This test is a brief screening tool used to assess cognitive function, including orientation, memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills. It helps identify cognitive impairment and monitor changes over time.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (FreeStyle Libre 2): This system measures glucose levels continuously through a small sensor placed on the skin, providing real-time data without frequent finger pricks. It helps track glucose trends and fluctuations, supporting better diabetes management and treatment decisions.

Blood Nitrate and Nitric Oxide Assessment: This measurement evaluates nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability by analyzing changes in blood nitrate levels, a stable indirect marker of NO production, typically expressed in µmol/L. . Blood samples (10-20 mL) will be collected alongside routine clinical testing using Vacutainer tubes (EDTA, citrate, or serum tubes as appropriate). Samples will be left upright for 10 minutes and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain serum and plasma for analysis. Aliquots will be stored at -80°C for future specialised analyses, including flow cytometry.

Body Composition by Bioimpedance (BIA 101 BIVA® PRO): This method assesses body composition by measuring electrical impedance through a two-electrode system, providing estimates of body water, fat mass, and fat-free mass. It also uses bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) to evaluate hydration status and cellular health, offering insights into nutritional and physiological condition.