Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Background and Aim: Taekwondo is a high-intensity Olympic sport in which aerobic fitness, anaerobic capacity, and agility are all essential for success. High-intensity exercise leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can result in reduced muscle performance, impaired athletic function, and muscle fatigue, particularly in adolescents. This is because young individuals have a less developed and lower antioxidant capacity compared to middle-aged and even older individuals. Consuming antioxidants derived from natural fruits is proposed as a more effective and safer nutritional strategy to counteract the harmful effects of oxidative stress. Beetroot juice, in particular, has significantly higher antioxidant capacity compared to other vegetables and fruits. The present study aimed to investigate the short-term supplementation effects of beetroot juice on salivary 8-oxo-dG levels and performance in adolescent taekwondo athletes.
Materials and Methods: Forty adolescent taekwondo athletes were randomly divided into 4 groups (n= 10): TAAA + Supplement (TS), TAAA (Ta), Supplement (Sp) and Placebo (Pl). The TKD athletes consumed 2 servings of 100 ml of the beetroot juice supplement or placebo for 7 days. The TAAA test performed 72 hours before beginning of supplementation, 12 hours after the last serving of supplementation, 90 min after 2nd test, and 24 hours after 3rd test. Saliva sampling was performed 72 hours after 1st TAAA test and before beginning of supplementation, 12 hours after the last serving of supplementation, immediately after 2nd TAAA test, 90 min after 2nd test and before the 3rd test, 24 hours after 3rd test and before 4th test.
Results: According to the effect that is important in the comparison of the one-way variance analysis test, there was a significant difference between the changes of 8-oxo-dG, aerobic and anaerobic power, and agility records in different groups. The variance analysis of 8-oxo-dG, aerobic power, anaerobic power, and agility record showed a significant difference in the second, third, and fourth stages compared to the baseline.
Conclusion: It appears that consuming beetroot juice supplementation for 7 days (200 ml per day) can reduce oxidative stress in adolescent male taekwondo athletes and improve their aerobic, anaerobic, and agility performance. Beetroot juice can be used to mitigate the harmful effects of oxidative stress caused by intense physical activities. Beetroot juice, being a low-calorie, cost-effective, accessible, and highly beneficial drink, can be consumed by taekwondo athletes and those in physiologically similar sports a week before competitions to enhance performance.
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