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Exercise Training Intensity and Nitrate Supplementation in Post-Menopausal Females
Sponsor: University of Virginia
Summary
Menopause greatly increases cardiovascular disease risk (CVD). Current exercise guidelines are inadequate to ameliorate this risk and higher intensity exercise may be necessary for cardiovascular benefits in postmenopausal females. Oral nitrate supplementation enhances exercise performance and CVD risk profile in several clinical conditions. The investigators recently reported that 3-days of nitrate supplementation in postmenopausal females enhances acute post-exercise vascular function, in an intensity dependent manner. The effects of nitrate supplementation and exercise training over a longer training program remains unexplored. This investigation will examine the impact of exercise training intensity with and without inorganic nitrate supplementation, on CVD and fitness outcomes. Postmenopausal females will be tested for maximal oxygen uptake and lactate threshold before randomization to one of four groups: that inorganic nitrate-rich beetroot juice, or beetroot juice with nitrate extracted; and assigned to one-month of calorie matched high-intensity or moderate-intensity exercise training. Vascular function and fitness will be evaluated before and after training.
Official title: Effects of Exercise Training Intensity and Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation on Vascular Health and Fitness in Post-Menopausal Females
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
45 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2025-07-01
Completion Date
2026-12-31
Last Updated
2025-07-28
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice
subjects will consume 1 bottle of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (\~400mg of nitrate each) 2x a day
High Intensity Exercise
exercise at an intensity midway between the lactate threshold and VO2peak, from the screening test at an RPE of \~ 15-17
Moderate Intensity Exercise
exercise at the RPE at LT associated an \~ RPE of 10-12
Nitrate-Depleted Placebo Beetroot Juice
Subjects will consume 1 bottle of nitrate-depleted beetroot juice 2x a day
Locations (1)
Student Health and Wellness Building - Department of Kinesiology
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States