Beetroot Juice May Help Decrease Running Time

Concurrent training is the inclusion of cardio and strength training in the same workout. This allows a person to build strength and muscle and increase endurance simultaneously. A recent study has found that consuming beetroot juice before concurrent training may help decrease running time.

Participants in the study included 20 men with an average age of 21. All had at least 1 year experience in both aerobic and strength training. They took part in 2 exercise sessions during which they performed concurrent training starting with aerobic exercise followed by resistance training, or vice versa. They then performed 6 more training sessions during which they consumed 17 ounces of beetroot juice, a control drink, or a placebo 60 minutes before they exercised.

The researchers measured time taken to complete the aerobic exercise, total number of repetitions during strength training, and the rate of perceived exertion at the end of each exercise session. They also took blood samples 60 minutes before and after participants consumed their drink.

Participants in the beetroot juice group saw a significant decrease in time needed to run 2.8 miles compared to the control and placebo groups. They also significant increases in plasma nitric oxide concentration. No differences were seen between the groups in total number of repetitions or the rate of perceived exertion.

The study was conducted by researchers from the State University of Londrina. It was published on July 1, 2002 in the International Journal of Exercise Science.