Red Spinach is a natural food which is a rich source of nitrates, which are beneficial in hemodynamics, cardiovascular function, and have natural hypotensive and antianginal effects. Red spinach extract has been shown to be beneficial in exercise performance, albeit mostly in aerobic exercise. In a previous study in our lab, we found that dietary nitrate consumption resulted in significantly greater isometric force production in teenage males. However, currently there is little know regarding the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on isometric strength, resistance exercise and cognitive performance.
This research study is designed to measure the effects of red spinach extract (RSE) on markers of physical and cognitive performance during and following anaerobic exercise.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
11
Oral capsules containing 2g of Red Spinach Extract will be consumed daily for 7 days
Oral placebo capsules will be taken consisting of maltodrextrin daily for 7 days
Jeremy Townsend
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Bench Press Repetitions to Fatiuge
Number of repetitions completed in each set during the acute exercise bout will be recorded and analyzed
Time frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks)
Bench Press Power
Power during bench press repetitions will be measured via a linear transducer.
Time frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks)
Isometric Mid-thigh pull (IMTP) Peak Force
Peak Force will be measured via dual force plates during a full-body isometric strength test.
Time frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks)
Isometric Mid-thigh pull (IMTP) Rate of Force Development
Rate of Force development will be measured via dual force plates during a full-body isometric strength test.
Time frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks)
Estimated Muscle Blood Flow via Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)
Measures of muscle oxygenation of the anterior deltoid will be estimated using a NIRS Device.
Time frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks)
Cognitive Performance via Stroop Test
The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) is a neuropsychological test used to assess cognitive performance. This will be administered before and after the fatiguing bench press protocol
Time frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks)
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