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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05993715

Nitrate Supplementation on Motor Unit Activity

This study aimed to assess if nitrate supplementation influence motor unit (MU) activity following a sustained ischemic contraction and whether this is affected by blood flow restriction (BFR) during the recovery period. Fourteen male participants (mean ± SD, 25 ± 6 years) completed two experimental trials following 5-days of supplementation with either nitrate-rich (NIT) or nitrate-depleted (PLA) beetroot juice in a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design. Intramuscular electromyography was used to assess MU potential (MUP) size and firing rates (MUFR) during a submaximal (25% MVC) sustained isometric contraction with BFR. These variables were also assessed during a 90 s recovery period with the first half completed with, and the second half completed without, BFR. Nitrate supplementation can expedite the recovery of MUP duration following a sustained ischemic contraction in healthy adults. These novel observations improve understanding of the effects of nitrate on the recovery of neuromuscular function post-exercise and might have implications for recovery of muscle contractile function.

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Key information

Conditions

Dietary Supplements Healthy

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northumbria University

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male between 18 - 30 years
  • free from known respiratory insufficiency, cardiovascular disease and neuro-musculo-skeletal problems at present or in the preceding 6 months.
  • having at least 5 years competitively (team) sport experience.

Exclusion criteria

  • having cardiovascular disease, neuromuscular disease and any lower limb injury and treatment for chronic respiratory complaints.

Treatment and study plan

Nitrate supplementation

Dietary Supplement

Participants ingested 2 × 70 mL/day shots of concentrate nitrate-rich (~12.8 mmol/day nitrate) or nitrate-depleted (~0.08 mmol/day nitrite) beetroot juice (Beet It, James White Drinks Ltd., Ipswich, UK). Two shots were supplemented for 5 days; one each morning (~9 am) and one each evening (~9 pm) except for the day of the experimental trial when both shots were taken together 2.5 h before the experimental trial.

Placebo supplementtaion

Dietary Supplement

2 × 70 mL/day shots of concentrate nitrate-depleted (~0.08 mmol/day NO3-) beetroot juice. Two shots were supplemented for 5 days; one each morning (~9 am) and one each evening (~9 pm) except for the day of the experimental trial when both shots were taken together 2.5 h before the experimental trial.

Primary outcomes

  1. Plasma Nitrite Level

    Time frame: Pre-exercise

    concentration [nmol]

  2. Motor Unit Activity

    Time frame: Pre-exercise, post-exercise, recovery (45 s)

    Duration (ms), area (uV.ms), firing rate (Hz)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northumbria University

Other

Collaborators

  • Manchester Metropolitan University

Registry information

Official study title

Influence of Nitrate Supplementation on Motor Unit Activity During Recovery Following a Sustained Ischemic Contraction.

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Aug 15, 2023
Registry last updated
Aug 15, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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