Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation Does Not Improve Match-Play Activity in Professional Tennis Players

Abstract

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This study investigates the impact of acute beetroot juice supplementation on the performance of professional tennis players during competitive matches. Beetroot juice, known for its nitrate content, is considered a potential enhancer for endurance exercise. In a double-blind, randomized experiment, nine players consumed either concentrated beetroot juice or a placebo before engaging in a 3-set tennis match and performance tests. The results revealed that beetroot juice supplementation had no significant effect on match-play running performance, serve speed, or isometric handgrip strength compared to the placebo. In conclusion, acute ingestion of nitrate-rich beetroot juice did not improve the performance of professional tennis players, suggesting limited ergogenic benefits in this context.