Combination Supplement May Help Increase Running Distance

Nitric oxide helps increase the blood level in muscles and helps improve muscle efficiency. A recent study has found that the nitric oxide precursors citrulline and beetroot extract may help increase the distance that runners are capable of running.

32 triathletes participated in the study. They were given one of the following daily for 9 weeks:

1. 3 grams of citrulline;
2. 1 grams of beetroot extract;
3. 3 grams of citrulline and 2.1 grams of beetroot extract;
4. Placebo daily for 9 weeks.

The distance they were able to run in the Cooper test was evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study.

Participants in the citrulline and beetroot group were able to run approximately 5% further at the end of the study period. No other groups showed significant improvements in distance. Participants in the combination group also saw lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of León. It was published online ahead of print on January 4, 2022, in the journal Nutrients.

In a previous study, nitrate supplementation was found to help increase muscle power.