Recent evidence indicates that elevating plasma nitrites through dietary nitrates (NO3−) supplementation is associated with enhanced muscle efficiency, fatigue resistance and performance. Beetroot (in various forms) is the dominant source of dietary NO3− primarily due to its vast availability and the simple form of preparation suitable for final consumption. After a few years of research and experimentation, our scientific team identified alternative source rich with dietary NO3− as possible nitric oxide precursor, amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) with a standardized concentration 9–11% of NO3−. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of single-dose (±400 mg of dietary NO3−) and long-term (6 days) supplementation of amaranth concentrate derived dietary NO3− on aerobic capacity in physically active young people. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study. Thirteen healthy and physically active young male participants were randomized into experimental and placebo groups. The aerobic capacity was tested during increasing cycling exercise (ICE) with pulmonary gas exchange recording and analysis. The peak power of the ICE, the maximum oxygen consumption and the first ventilatory threshold were significantly increased after long-term consumption of dietary amaranth (from 4.44 ± 0.50 to 4.55 ± 0.43 W/kg; from 37.7 ± 2.7 to 41.2 ± 5.4 mL/kg/min and from 178.6 ± 30.3 to 188.6 ± 35.2 W, p < 0.05; respectively) in experimental group. Long-term (6 days) use of dietary NO3− from amaranth may improve the aerobic capacity during ICE in young physically active male persons. It can be recommended as the nutritional supplement during last week of preparation for competition in endurance events.

The effect of deep mineral water (DMW) with moderate mineralization on the recovery of physical performance after prolonged dehydrating aerobic exercise in the heat was studied in nine healthy, physically active (VO2max = 45.8 ± 8.4 mL kg−1 min−1) women aged 24.0 ± 3.7 years.

This study investigated the aerobic fitness and physiologic and energetic responses during competitive exercise in aerobic gymnasts. The gymnasts performed a graded treadmill test and competitive group exercises. Energetic response was calculated from oxygen uptake and blood lactate changes. Peak oxygen uptake was similar in International ( M = 45.4m · kg⁻¹ · min.⁻¹, SD = 3.9) and National ( M = 44.7ml · kg⁻¹ · min.⁻¹, SD = 3.6) level groups. During their competitive routines, total energy and the fractions of aerobic, anaerobic alactic, and anaerobic lactic energy were 1,847.7 ( SD = 293.9) and 1,747.3 ( SD = 196.7) J · kg⁻¹, 53.5% ( SD = 3.1) and 60.3% ( SD = 6.1), 25.4% ( SD = 5.9) and 21.4% ( SD = 5.2), and 21.1% ( SD = 5.8) and 18.3% ( SD = 4.5) in international and national level athletes, respectively ( p > .05). The contribution of anaerobic energy was higher in the international level group ( p = .03). It is concluded that the aerobic fitness and absolute energetic and physiological responses of athletes during competitive activities were not different between the aerobic gymnasts groups with different levels of performance, but a higher relative contribution of anaerobic energy was observed in the group with a higher performance level.

Background and objectives: Executive function (EF) is an umbrella term that encompasses the set of higher-order processes. Core EFs are inhibition, interference control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The aim of the study was to compare the EF between normal weight (NW) and inactive overweight (OW), NW and sport trained (ST), ST and OW 16–19-year-old youths. In addition, the relationship between EF and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was evaluated. Materials and Methods: 10 NW, 14 ST, and 10 OW youths participated in this study. EF was evaluated using the ANAM4 battery. VO2peak was measured during an increasing walking exercise (modified Balke test). Results: The NW youths demonstrated better visual tracking and attention (94.28% ± 3.11%/90.23% ± 2.01%), response inhibition (95.65% ± 1.83%/92.48% ± 1.05%), speed of processing, and alternating attention with a motor speed component (95.5% ± 3.51%/89.01% ± 4.09%) than the OW youths (p < 0.05). The ST youths demonstrated better visual tracking and attention (96.76% ± 1.85%/90.23% ± 2.01%), response inhibition (97.58% ± 0.94%/92.48% ± 1.05%), speed of processing, and alternating attention with a motor speed component (98.35% ± 1.35%/89.01% ± 4.09%) than the OW youths (p < 0.05). The ST youths demonstrated better EF results than NW youths (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The ST 16–19-year-old youths demonstrated better EF than their OW and NW peers. The NW youths demonstrated better EF than their OW peers. There was a significant correlation between VO2peak and EF indicators in all groups of participants.

While anaerobic fitness is highly important for the performance in Olympic (amateur) boxing, the relationship between anaerobic performance metrics is poorly understood, and profiling boxers according to their anaerobic capacity is still a challenge. With the current study in elite amateur boxers, we aimed to compare the metabolic and cardiovascular responses to different maximal tests and the intercorrelations between performance indices (peak and mean power, duration of the test, punching frequency) of several all-out tests and their correlation to physiological response metrics (blood lactate and heart rate, HR). Twelve male Olympic boxers performed a battery of tests, including 30 s Wingate cycling and arm cranking, boxing bag punching, steep uphill treadmill running to exhaustion, and progressive treadmill running VO₂max test. Performance indices of different anaerobic tests were not closely correlated except for the duration of uphill running with body weight scaled (relative) peak and mean power produced during Wingate cycling test and absolute mean power of both Wingate tests. The number of punches landed on a bag per 30 s was associated only with relative power achieved during Wingate cycling test. HRpeak but not peak lactate response correlated strongly across exercise tasks. Finally, no correlation between the highly developed aerobic and anaerobic capacity, suggests a complex picture of the adaptation in elite amateur boxers.

Background/Objectives: Broccoli-derived glucoraphanin (a sulforaphane precursor that activates Nrf2 defenses) may aid repair; however, its short-term effects in humans remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate whether short-term supplementation with broccoli-derived glucoraphanin improves recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. We hypothesized that short-term supplementation with broccoli-derived glucoraphanin would attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage and accelerate recovery. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, fifteen participants consumed either high-glucoraphanin broccoli powder (320 μg) or placebo for two weeks, followed by elbow flexor eccentric exercise. Strength, soreness, creatine kinase (CK), range of motion (ROM), arm girths, and ultrasound-assessed muscle and tendon morphology were measured at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 and 96 h post-exercise. Results: Significant main effects of time were observed for isometric and isokinetic torque (p < 0.05), CK (p < 0.05), soreness (p < 0.05), and structural swelling markers (p < 0.05), confirming exercise-induced muscle damage. However, there were no significant Time × Supplement interactions for any variable (p > 0.05), indicating that glucoraphanin did not influence recovery dynamics. Conclusions: These findings suggest that short-term high-dose broccoli supplementation reconstituted with hot water does not modulate recovery following eccentric muscle damage under the conditions tested, including the chosen preparation method and experimental context.