First Name:
Anya
Last Name:
Tilly
Major Department:
Exercise Science
Thesis Director:
David Morris
Date of Thesis:
May 2013
Previous research has demonstrated that beetroot juice dietary nitrate supplementation has a beneficial effect on aerobic exercise at sea level. This study applied this principle to a hypoxic cycling environment. It was hypothesized that beetroot supplementation in a hypoxic environment would enhance performance during a cycling time trial. Nine male subjects performed three different time trials with three varying supplementations: 70 mL of organic beetroot juice (BR), 70 mL of organic nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (PL), or 70 mL of water (CO). Work output was calculated based on measurements obtained for work and time completed. The mean work rates for each supplement were analyzed with a one way ANOVA f-test. Statistical significance was accepted when P<0.05. No statistical significance was found for improved performance.