The nitrate efficiency in the performance of the masters category in swimmers in Sao Paulo

Abstract

Introduction: It has been shown that nitrate supplementation is beneficial during high-intensity exercise, like in swimming, since it causes an increase in potency, in time of exhaustion and improved performance in exercises against the clock. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the nitrate efficiency in the performance of the masters category swimmers in Sao Paulo. Methods: The sample was composed of 11 athletes, of both genders, aged 20 to 55 years. The athletes were subject to two extensive testing, on the first day ingesting 500 ml of water and the other day ingesting 500 ml of beetroot juice, both before training. It was evaluated the level of dehydration and the subjective perception of effort (the Borg Scale). Results: In relation to the Borg Scale, the test ingesting water, 36.3% of the athletes rated the training as extremely intense, while test ingesting beetroot juice, 45.4% classified as intense. In training with water, the average weight loss percentage was 0.97% and the sweating rate was 16.9 ml / min. Already with beetroot juice, the weight loss was slightly lower, 0.93%, and the sweating rate was 15.6 ml / min. Conclusion: The consumption of beet juice can be presented as a positive alternative in the slight improvement of perceived exertion in swimming athletes.