The ingestion of beetroot juice (BJ) has been associated with improvements in physical performance in endurance sports, however the literature on resistance training (RT) is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of BJ compared to a placebo (PLA) on muscular endurance and movement concentric velocity during RT. Twelve healthy men performed an incremental RT test (back squat and bench press) with three sets, at 60%, 70%, and 80% of their repetition maximum (1-RM). Movement velocity variables, total number of repetitions performed until concentric failure, blood lactate, and ratings of perceived effort post-training were measured. A higher number of repetitions were recorded with BJ compared to those with PLA (13.8 ± 14.4; p < 0.01; effect size (ES) = 0.6). Differences were found at 60% 1-RM (9 ± 10; p < 0.05; ES = 0.61) and 70% 1-RM (3.1 ± 4.8; p < 0.05; ES = 0.49), however, no differences were found at 80% 1-RM (1.7 ± 1; p = 0.12; ES = 0.41). A greater number of repetitions was performed in back squat (13.4 ± 13; p < 0.01; ES = 0.77), but no differences were observed in bench press (0.4 ± 5.1; p = 0.785; ES = 0.03). No differences were found for the rest of the variables (p > 0.05). Acute supplementation of BJ improved muscular endurance performance in RT.

Background: Beetroot juice (BRJ) is used as an ergogenic aid, but no previous study has analyzed the effect this supplement has on the production of explosive force and muscular endurance in physically active women. Hypothesis: BRJ improves explosive force and muscular endurance in the lower limbs of physically active women. Study Design: Randomized double-blind crossover study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Fourteen physically active women performed a countermovement jump (CMJ) test, a back squat test for assessing velocity and power at 50% and 75% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), and the number of repetitions on a muscular endurance test consisting of 3 sets at 75% of 1RM in a resistance training protocol comprising 3 exercises (back squat, leg press, and leg extension). The participants performed the test in 2 sessions, 150 minutes after ingesting 70 mL of either BRJ (400 mg of nitrate) or a placebo (PLA). Results: A greater maximum height was achieved in the CMJ after consuming BRJ compared with a PLA ( P = 0.04; effect size (ES) = 0.34). After a BRJ supplement at 50% 1RM, a higher mean velocity [+6.7%; P = 0.03; (ES) = 0.39 (–0.40 to 1.17)], peak velocity (+6%; P = 0.04; ES = 0.39 [−0.40 to 1.17]), mean power (+7.3%; P = 0.02; ES = 0.30 [−0.48 to 1.08]) and peak power (+6%; P = 0.04; ES = 0.20 [−0.59 to 0.98]) were attained in the back squat test. In the muscular endurance test, BRJ increased performance compared with the PLA ( P < 0.00; η_p² = 0.651). Conclusion: BRJ supplements exert an ergogenic effect on the ability to produce explosive force and muscular endurance in the lower limbs in physically active women. Clinical Relevance: If physically active women took a BRJ supplement 120 minutes before resistance training their performance could be enhanced.

Background and Objective: Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by disabling levels of pain of varying intensity. Aerobic exercise may play a role in reducing pain in these patients. The aim of this review is to assess the dose of aerobic exercise needed, based on the frequency, intensity, type, time, volume and progression (FITT‐VP) model, to obtain clinically relevant reductions in pain.Databases and Data Treatment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised clinical trials was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS), PEDro, PubMed and Scopus databases, the search having been conducted between July and October of 2023. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool 2.Results: Seventeen studies were included. The risk of bias varied, with six studies showing low risk; five, some concerns; and six, high risk. Aerobic exercise interventions were analysed using the FITT‐VP model. Frequency ranged from 1 to 10 times per week, intensity varied from light to vigorous, and the types of exercise included music‐based exercise, interval training, pool‐based exercise, stationary cycling, swimming and walking. The intervention durations ranged from 3 to 24 weeks, with session lengths ranging from 10 to 45 min. Most of the studies presented significant differences, favouring aerobic exercise (MD −0.49; CI [−0.90, −0.08; p = 0.02]), with moderate to low heterogeneity in subgroup analyses.Conclusions: The study findings underscore the efficacy of aerobic exercise in alleviating pain among fibromyalgia patients, advocating for tailored exercise dosing to optimise adherence and outcomes.Significance Statement: Individuals with fibromyalgia should engage in aerobic exercises two to three times weekly, for twenty‐five to forty minutes in each session, aiming for more than a hundred minutes per week. They should start at low intensity, gradually increasing to higher intensities over six to twelve weeks, for optimal pain management. Exercise types should be selected in collaboration with the patient and based on personal preferences and accessibility, such as walking, and swimming, to ensure long‐term adherence to the regimen.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to review the evidence about the effectiveness of exercise in patients with overweight or obesity suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between January 2002 and May 2022 were included. Results: A total of 64 articles were identified, of which six met the criteria for meta-analysis. The pain scale score was higher in the control group (mean difference 0.95; confidence interval 0.42–1.47; p < 0.001; I² = 44%). The physical function scale (lower scores indicate lower levels of symptoms or physical disability) presented a higher score in the control group (mean difference 3.74; confidence interval 0.85–6.53; p < 0.05; I² = 56%). Moreover, the intervention group achieved a greater distance (meters) walking in a 6 min interval (mean difference 38.18; confidence interval 20.01–56.35; p < 0.001; I² = 0%). Conclusions: Exercise interventions seem effective in improving quality of life in people with overweight or obesity suffering from knee osteoarthritis, reducing pain and improving physical function.

Beetroot juice (BJ) has been used as a sport supplement, improving performance in resistance training (RT). However, its effect on the modulation of the autonomic nervous system has not yet been widely studied. Therefore, the objective of this randomized double-blind crossover study was to assess the effect of acute BJ supplementation compared to placebo in blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and internal load during RT measure as Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences between adjacent RR intervals Slope (RMSSD and RMSSD-Slope, respectively). Eleven men performed an incremental RT test (three sets at 60%, 70% and 80% of their repetition maximum) composed by back squat and bench press with. HR, HRV and RMSSD-Slope were measured during and post exercise. As the main results, RMSSD during exercise decrease in the BJ group compared to placebo (p = 0.023; ES = 0.999), there were no differences in RMSSD post-exercise, and there were differences in RMSSD-Slope between groups in favor of the BJ group (p = 0.025; ES = 1.104) with a lower internal load. In conclusion, BJ supplementation seems to be a valuable tool for the reduction in the internal load of exercise during RT measured as RMSSD-Slope while enhancing performance.