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Purpose: Beetroot juice (BRJ) is considered an ergogenic aid with good to strong evidence for improving human performance in sport modalities with similar demands to rugby. However, most of the studies were realized in male athletes with limited evidence in female athletes. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the acute ingestion of BRJ in female rugby players. Methods: Fourteen semi-professional female rugby players (25.0 ± 3.7 years) belonging to a team from the First Spanish Female Rugby Division participated in this study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups that realized a neuromuscular battery after BRJ (140mL, 12.8 mmol NO3−) or placebo (PLAC, 140 mL, 0.08 mmol NO3−) ingestion on two different days separated by one week between protocols. The neuromuscular test battery consisted of a countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric handgrip strength (i.e., dominant), 10-m and 30-m sprint, agility t-test and Bronco test. Afterwards, participants reported a rate of perception scale (6–20 points) and side effects questionnaire associated with BRJ or PLAC ingestion. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in CMJ (7.7%; p = 0.029; ES = 0.62), while no differences were reported in dominant isometric handgrip strength (−1.7%; p = 0.274; ES = −0.20); 10-m and 30-m sprint (0.5–0.8%; p = 0.441–0.588; ES = 0.03–0.18); modified agility t-test (−0.6%; p = 0.503; ES = −0.12) and Bronco test (1.94%; p = 0.459; ES = 0.16). Conclusions: BRJ ingestion could improve neuromuscular performance in the CMJ test, while no differences in sprint (10-m and 30-m sprint test), agility, isometric handgrip strength and endurance performance (i.e., Bronco test) were reported, Banco Santander, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Depto. de Radiología, Rehabilitación y Fisioterapia, Fac. de Medicina, TRUE, pub

Bioactive supplements display relevant therapeutic properties when properly applied according to validated molecular effects. Our previous research efforts established the basis to develop a dietary supplement based on a Rosmarinus officinalis supercritical extract. This was enriched in phenolic diterpenes (RE) with proven properties against signaling pathways involved in colon tumorigenesis, and shark liver oil rich in alkylglycerols (AKG) as a bioactive lipid vehicle to improve RE bioavailability and synergize with the potential therapeutic action of the extract. Herein, we have investigated the tolerability and safety of the supplement and the biological and molecular effects from an immuno-nutritional perspective. Sixty healthy volunteers participated in a six week, double-blind, randomized parallel pilot study with two study arms: RE-AKG capsules (CR) and control capsules (CC). Mean age (±SD) of volunteers was 28.32 (±11.39) and 27.5 (±9.04) for the control and the study groups, respectively. Safety of the CR product consumption was confirmed by analyzing liver profile, vital constants, and oxidation markers (LDLox in blood and isoprostanes and thromboxanes in urine). The following were monitored: (1) the phenotyping of plasmatic leukocytes and the ex vivo response of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); (2) expression of genes associated with immune-modulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and tumorigenesis; and (3) the correlation of selected genetic variants (SNPs) with the differential responses among individuals. The lack of adverse effects on liver profile and oxidation markers, together with adequate tolerability and safe immunological adaptations, provide high-quality information for the potential use of CR as co-adjuvant of therapeutic strategies against colorectal cancer., Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Comunidad de Madrid, Depto. de Radiología, Rehabilitación y Fisioterapia, Fac. de Medicina, TRUE, pub