Effects of Acute and Chronic Beetroot Juice Supplementation with Aerobic Exercise in Hypertensive Middle-Aged Adults

Ravindran, Medhavinz Seew (2026) Effects of Acute and Chronic Beetroot Juice Supplementation with Aerobic Exercise in Hypertensive Middle-Aged Adults. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

This study examined whether beetroot juice supplementation could enhance the cardiovascular responses associated with aerobic exercise in hypertensive middle-aged adults. The study focused on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, exercise tolerance, and heart rate response during submaximal cycling. Seven participants completed the study and were divided into a beetroot juice group (BRJ, n = 4) and a control group (CON, n = 3). Both groups completed a four-week cycling programme prescribed at 40–59% heart rate reserve. The BRJ group consumed beetroot juice providing approximately 6 mmol of dietary nitrate before testing sessions and continued daily intake during the intervention period, while the control group completed the exercise programme without supplementation. Assessments were conducted at baseline, acute, week 2, and week 4 using the YMCA Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Test. The main finding was a significant change in systolic blood pressure across time (p = .028). However, the time × group interaction was not significant (p = .142), indicating that the pattern of systolic blood pressure change was not statistically different between the BRJ and control groups. Descriptively, systolic blood pressure decreased in both groups, with the BRJ group reducing from 126.75 mmHg to 116.25 mmHg and the control group reducing from 134.67 mmHg to 123.67 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure, exercise tolerance, and heart rate response did not show significant changes (p > .05). Overall, the findings suggest that aerobic exercise contributed to improved systolic blood pressure, while the additional effect of beetroot juice supplementation was not statistically confirmed. Larger studies with longer intervention periods are needed to better determine whether dietary nitrate supplementation provides added benefits when combined with aerobic training.