The effect of beetroot juice (<em>Beta Vulgaris L.</em>) supplementation on ṼO2max of youth soccer athletes

Abstract

Soccer athletes’ performance is influenced by perfect ṼO2max. However, athletes often receive rigorous exercise without being supported by proper nutrition which can lead to oxidative stress. It is necessary to maintain performance by supplementing beetroot juice which contains betalains and inorganic nitrates so that oxidative stress can be controlled. This research is aimed to determine the effect of beetroot juice on the ṼO2max of soccer athletes. By using true experimental with randomized pre-test post-test control group design, 16 healthy males aged 16-19 years old were divided into two groups, treatment, and control. Data were analyzed by independent sample t-test and paired t-test. There is a significant difference in weight and body mass index (p<0.05). There is no significant difference in age, height, pre-body fat, post-body fat, Δbody fat, nutrition intake, school hours, sleep hours, and physical exercise as well as ṼO2max before and after intervention (p>0.05). There is a significant difference in ṼO2max change in both groups (p<0.05). Thus, both beetroot juice and placebo significantly affected the increase of ṼO2max levels in soccer athletes.