Pablo Veiga-Herreros

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the consumption of 70% cocoa dark chocolate, enriched with dehydrated blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius) and β-glucan, administered together with regular and low-fat diets, on anthropometric and biochemical parameters and dietary intake in overweight or obese individuals. Methods: A Randomized Complete Block design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used, comparing four treatments during nine weeks, a Phase III case-control observational clinical study, with a population of 16 students of both sexes aged 19-23 years. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist-hip index, BMI, blood pressure, percentage of total and visceral fat), biochemical parameters (capillary glucose and fat profile: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides), and intake record by 24-hour recall were evaluated. Results: No significant changes were observed in BMI or blood pressure. Women's waist-to-hip ratio decreased significantly in treatment 2 (P < 0.05). Triglycerides were reduced considerably in treatment 3 (P < 0.02). In the low-fat diet, calorie (P < 0.022), carbohydrate (P < 0.018), protein (P < 0.049), and sodium (P < 0.03) intakes showed significant reductions. Conclusions: Consumption of dark chocolate enriched with blackberry and β-glucans, in the context of a low-fat diet, improved cardiometabolic markers and reduced triglyceride levels and calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and sodium intake. There were no statistically significant differences in body mass index or blood pressure.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine supplementation on: (i) psychological responses of subjective vitality and mood; (ii) performance through a Wingate test; and (iii) rate of perceived exertion (RPE) reported after a Wingate test. Methods: Fifteen male participants (22.60 ± 2.16 years) ingested 6 mg·kg-1 of caffeine or placebo (sucrose) supplementation in two experimental sessions. After 60 min from supplement intake, participants fulfilled two questionnaires, which measured subjective vitality and mood state, respectively. Subsequently, participants’ performance was assessed through a Wingate test, which was followed by measurements of RPE at general, muscular, or cardiovascular level. Results: Caffeine supplementation increased some components of mood, as assessed by profile of mood states (POMS) (tension and vigor dimensions) and subjective vitality profiles, which were followed by a greater maximum power, average power, and lower time needed to reach maximum power during the Wingate test. Moreover, lower RPE, both at muscular and general levels were reported by participants after the Wingate test. Conclusions: These results suggest that caffeine supplementation exerts positive effects both in psychological and physical domains in trained subjects.

Purpose: Dietary supplementation with inorganic nitrate (NO₃⁻) can enhance high-intensity exercise performance by improving skeletal muscle contractility and metabolism, but the extent to which this might be linked to altered psychophysiological processes is presently unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of NO₃⁻-rich beetroot juice (BJ) supplementation on profile of mood states, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and performance in a 30-second Wingate cycle test. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study, 15 subjects completed 2 laboratory sessions after ingesting NO₃⁻-rich or NO₃⁻-depleted (placebo) BJ. Participants initially completed the profile of mood states questionnaire. Subsequently, participants completed a warm-up followed by a 30-second all-out Wingate cycling test. After the Wingate test, participants immediately indicated the RPE of their leg muscles (RPE_muscular), cardiovascular system (RPE_cardio), and general RPE (RPE_general). Results: Compared with the placebo condition, supplementation with BJ increased peak power output (W_peak) (+4.4%, 11.5 [0.7] vs 11.1 [1.0] W·kg⁻¹; P = .039) and lowered the time taken to reach W_peak (7.3 [0.9] vs 8.7 [1.5] s; P = .002) during the Wingate test. The profile of mood states score linked to tension was increased prior to the Wingate test (4.8 [3.0] vs 3.4 [2.4]; P = .040), and RPE_muscular was lowered immediately following the Wingate test (17.7 [1.6] vs 18.3 [1.0]; P = .031), after BJ compared with placebo ingestion. Conclusions: Acute BJ supplementation improved pre-exercise tension, 30-second Wingate test performance, and lowered postexercise RPE_muscular.

Background: this study examined the effects of caffeine supplementation on anaerobic performance, neuromuscular efficiency and upper and lower extremities fatigue in Olympic-level boxers. Methods: Eight male athletes, members of the Spanish National Olympic Team, were enrolled in the study. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover design, the athletes completed 2 test sessions after the intake of caffeine (6 mg·kg⁻¹) or placebo. Sessions involved initial measures of lactate, handgrip and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, followed by a 30-seconds Wingate test, and then final measures of the previous variables. During the sessions, electromiography (EMG) data were recorded on the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius lateral head and tibialis anterior. Results: caffeine enhanced peak power (6.27%, p < 0.01; Effect Size (ES) = 1.26), mean power (5.21%; p < 0.01; ES = 1.29) and reduced the time needed to reach peak power (−9.91%, p < 0.01; ES = 0.58) in the Wingate test, improved jump height in the CMJ (+2.4 cm, p < 0.01), and improved neuromuscular efficiency at peak power in the vastus lateralis (ES = 1.01) and gluteus maximus (ES = 0.89), and mean power in the vastus lateralis (ES = 0.95) and tibialis anterior (ES = 0.83). Conclusions: in these Olympic-level boxers, caffeine supplementation improved anaerobic performance without affecting EMG activity and fatigue levels in the lower limbs. Further benefits observed were enhanced neuromuscular efficiency in some muscles and improved reaction speed.

As a nitric oxide precursor, beetroot juice (BJ) is known to enhance high-intensity exercise performance (80–100% VO_2max) yet its impacts on higher intensity sprint exercise (>100% VO_2max) remain to be established. This study sought to examine the effects of BJ supplementation on performance and subsequent fatigue during an all-out sprint exercise. Using a randomized cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 15 healthy resistance-trained men (22.4 ± 1.6 years) ingested 70 mL of either BJ or placebo. Three hours later, participants undertook a 30-s all-out Wingate test. Before and after the sprint exercise and at 30 s and 180 s post-exercise, three countermovement jumps (CMJ) were performed and blood lactate samples were obtained. Compared to placebo, BJ consumption improved peak (placebo vs. BJ, 848 ± 134 vs. 881 ± 135 W; p = 0.049) and mean (641 ± 91 vs. 666 ± 100 W; p = 0.023) power output and also reduced the time taken to reach W_peak in the Wingate test (8.9 ± 1.4 vs. 7.3 ± 0.9 s; p = 0.003). No differences were detected in the fatigue index. In addition, while over time CMJ height and power diminished (ANOVA p < 0.001) and blood lactate levels increased (ANOVA p < 0.001), no supplementation effect was observed. Our findings indicate that while BJ supplementation improved performance at the 30-s cycling sprint, this improvement was not accompanied by differences in fatigue during or after this type of exercise.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comparar las respuestas respiratorias, de frecuencia cardíaca (FC) y lactato a intensidad de umbral láctico (UL) en media sentadilla (MS) vs cicloergómetro. Métodos: 24 hombres (21,5±1,8 años, 180,1±5,2 cm, 81,9±8,7 kg) con experiencia en el entrenamiento de fuerza realizaron un test incremental progresivo en MS y cicloergómetro para determinar el UL. Durante los test se midieron las concentraciones de lactato, FC, consumo de oxígeno (VO₂), producción de dióxido de carbono (VCO₂), ventilación pulmonar (VE), equivalente ventilatorio del oxígeno (VE·VO₂^-1) y del dióxido de carbono (VE·VCO₂^-1). Una t student valoró las diferencias entre las dos modalidades de ejercicio. Resultados: las concentraciones de lactato, FC, VE, VE·VCO₂^-1 y VE·VO₂^-1 fueron superiores en MS vs cicloergómetro (pConclusiones: el UL puede ser detectado en el ejercicio de MS. Además, la realización de sesiones de entrenamiento contrarresistencias, a intensidad de UL, podrían ser utilizadas para mejorar la resistencia cardiovascular y la fuerza muscular. PALABRAS CLAVE: resistencia, fuerza, entrenamiento contrarresistencias, umbral anaeróbico, transición aeróbica-anaeróbica ABSTRACT  Objective: To compare respiratory responses, heart rate (HR) and lactate at the intensity of the lactate threshold (LT) between half squat (HS) and cycloergometer. Methods: 24 men (21.5±1.8 years, 180.1 ± 5.2 cm, 81.9±8.7 kg) with experience in resitance performed a progressive incremental test in HS and cycloergometer to determine LT. During such test, the following parameters were measured: blood lactate concentrations, HR, oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), pulmonary ventilation (PV), ventilatory equivalent of oxygen (PV·VO₂^-1) and ventilatory equivalent of carbon dioxide (PV·VCO₂^-1). A t student evaluated the variables analysed among the two exercise modalities. Results: blood lactate concentrations, HR, PV, and PV·VO₂^-1 and PV·VCO₂^-1 were higher in HS than in cycloergometer (p Conclusions: LT can be detected in HS exercise. Furthermore, the resistance training sessions to the intensity of LT might be used in training sessions which seek to improve cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. KEYWORDS: endurance, strength, against-resistance training, anaerobic threshold, aerobic-anaerobic transition

Beetroot juice contains high levels of inorganic nitrate (NO₃⁻) and its intake has proved effective at increasing blood nitric oxide (NO) concentrations. Given the effects of NO in promoting vasodilation and blood flow with beneficial impacts on muscle contraction, several studies have detected an ergogenic effect of beetroot juice supplementation on exercise efforts with high oxidative energy metabolism demands. However, only a scarce yet growing number of investigations have sought to assess the effects of this supplement on performance at high-intensity exercise. Here we review the few studies that have addressed this issue. The databases Dialnet, Elsevier, Medline, Pubmed and Web of Science were searched for articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish published from 2010 to March 31 to 2017 using the keywords: beet or beetroot or nitrate or nitrite and supplement or supplementation or nutrition or “sport nutrition” and exercise or sport or “physical activity” or effort or athlete. Nine articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria were identified. Results indicate that beetroot juice given as a single dose or over a few days may improve performance at intermittent, high-intensity efforts with short rest periods. The improvements observed were attributed to faster phosphocreatine resynthesis which could delay its depletion during repetitive exercise efforts. In addition, beetroot juice supplementation could improve muscle power output via a mechanism involving a faster muscle shortening velocity. The findings of some studies also suggested improved indicators of muscular fatigue, though the mechanism involved in this effect remains unclear.

Beetroot juice (BJ) is classified as a high-level supplement for improving sports performance. There is some controversy over the benefits of BJ supplementation for endurance exercise performance, especially when referring to well-trained athletes. This study examines the effects of acute BJ supplementation on cardioventilatory responses, exercise economy/efficiency, slow component of oxygen uptake, time trial performance, blood lactate, energy consumption, and carbohydrate and fat oxidation. Twelve well-trained, male triathletes (aged 21–47 yr) were assigned in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design to receive 70 ml of BJ (6.5 mmol NO3−) or placebo (PL). Three hours after taking the supplement, participants completed an endurance test on a cycle ergometer at a constant work rate (W) corresponding to first ventilatory threshold (VT1) (30 min) and second ventilatory threshold (VT2) time trial (~ 15 min). Maximal oxygen uptake was 54.78 ± 3.13 mL·min− 1·kg− 1, and gross efficiency was > 22% at each load intensity and experimental condition. No significant interaction effect (supplement*intensity) was observed on any of the cardioventilatory variables, efficiency/economy, VT2 time trial, energy expenditure, carbohydrate oxidation and fat oxidation (p > 0.05). Our findings do not support an improvement in the variables examined in response to acute BJ supplementation. Probably, higher doses are needed for improving time trial performance in male triathletes during a cycle ergometer test conducted at a load intensity equivalent to the first and second ventilatory threshold.

β-Alanine (BA) is a non-essential amino acid that has been shown to enhance exercise performance. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if BA supplementation improved the adaptive response to five weeks of a resistance training program. Thirty healthy, strength-trained individuals were randomly assigned to the experimental groups placebo (PLA) or BA. Over 5 weeks of strength training, subjects in BA took 6.4 g/day of BA as 8 × 800 mg doses each at least 1.5 h apart. The training program consisted of 3 sessions per week in which three different leg exercises were conducted as a circuit (back squat, barbell step ups and loaded jumping lunges). The program started with 3 sets of 40 s of work per exercise and rest periods between sets of 120 s in the first week. This training volume was then gradually built up to 5 sets of 20 s work/60 s rest in the fifth week. The work load during the program was set by one of the authors according to the individual’s perceived effort the previous week. The variables measured were average velocity, peak velocity, average power, peak power, and load in kg in a back squat, incremental load, one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. In addition, during the rest period, jump ability (jump height and power) was assessed on a force platform. To compare data, a general linear model with repeated measures two-way analysis of variance was used. Significantly greater training improvements were observed in the BA group versus PLA group (p = 0.045) in the variables average power at 1RM (BA: 42.65%, 95% CI, 432.33, 522.52 VS. PLA: 21.07%, 95% CI, 384.77, 482.19) and average power at maximum power output (p = 0.037) (BA: 20.17%, 95% CI, 637.82, 751.90 VS. PLA; 10.74%, 95% CI, 628.31, 751.53). The pre- to post training average power gain produced at 1RM in BA could be explained by a greater maximal strength gain, or load lifted at 1RM (p = 0.014) (24 kg, 95% CI, 19.45, 28.41 VS. 16 kg, 95% CI, 10.58, 20.25) and in the number of sets executed (p = 0.025) in the incremental load test (BA: 2.79 sets, 95% CI, 2.08, 3.49 VS. PLA: 1.58 sets, 95% CI, 0.82, 2.34). β-Alanine supplementation was effective at increasing power output when lifting loads equivalent to the individual’s maximal strength or when working at maximum power output. The improvement observed at 1RM was explained by a greater load lifted, or strength gain, in response to training in the participants who took this supplement.