High dose Nitrate ingestion does not improve 40 km cycling time trial performance in trained cyclists.

This study evaluated the chronic effects of nitrate (NO) ingestion over three days, on 40 km TT performance in 11trained cyclists (VO: 60.8 ± 7.4 ml.kg.min; age: 36 ± 9 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 87.2 ± 12.0 kg). Utilising a double-blind randomised cross-over design, participants completed three 40 km TT on a Velotron® ergometer following the ingestion of either a 140 ml of "BEET It sport®" NO shot containing 12.8 mmol or 800 mg of NO, a placebo drink or nothing (control). Performance, oxygen consumption (VO), blood bicarbonate (HCO3-), pH and lactate (BLa) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured every 10 km throughout the TT. The present findings show that NO ingestion had no effect on TT performance (NO: 4098.0 ± 209.8 vs. Placebo: 4161.9 ± 263.3 s, p = 0.296, ES = 0.11), or VO (p = 0.253, ES = 0.13). Similarly, blood lactate and RPE were also unaffected by the experimental conditions (p = 0.522, ES = 0.06; p = 0.085, ES = 0.30) respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that a high dose of NO over three days has limited efficacy as an ergogenic aid for 40 km TT cycling performance in trained cyclists.