Selective recovery effects of short-term beetroot juice supplementation after exercise-induced muscle damage in trained female volleyball players.
Shuning Zhang, Xudong Yang, Hongqi Xu et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial examined short-term beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation after exercise-induced muscle damage in trained female university volleyball players. Participants completed 200 loaded vertical jumps and received BRJ or placebo at 24, 48, and 72 hours afterward. Recovery effects were selective rather than consistent across outcomes: at 72 hours, countermovement jump height was higher with BRJ than placebo (P = 0.033, d = 1.01), and calf pressure pain threshold also favored BRJ. Other measured functional, soreness, swelling, and strength outcomes showed no consistent treatment-related advantage.
Key findings
- At 72 hours post-damage, countermovement jump height was higher with BRJ than placebo (P = 0.033, d = 1.01); the treatment-by-time interaction showed a trend (P = 0.062).
- Calf pressure pain threshold favored BRJ at 72 hours, with a significant treatment-by-time interaction (P < 0.001).
- Agility time and soreness changed over time without clear between-condition differences; other pain, circumference, and low-velocity knee isokinetic outcomes showed no consistent BRJ advantage.
Why it matters
Recovery interventions may affect particular outcomes without improving recovery broadly. In this trial, BRJ-related differences were evident for jump height and calf pressure pain threshold, but not consistently across agility, soreness, swelling, or strength measures. This distinction is relevant when interpreting recovery claims and selecting outcomes for evaluating nutritional strategies after exercise-induced muscle damage.
What to keep in mind
Four of the 17 enrolled participants did not complete the second crossover period, and the reported BRJ-related advantages were limited to selected outcomes and time points.