Effects of upper body exercise training and beetroot juice on blood pressure
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN90266095 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN90266095 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Newcastle University (UK) |
| Funder | Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University (UK) |
- Submission date
- 11/12/2013
- Registration date
- 16/01/2014
- Last edited
- 13/03/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Physical activity and inorganic nitrate have both been associated with a reduction in blood pressure (BP) and improvement in arterial health. Physical activity interventions based on training of the upper arms have provided initial support for a beneficial effect on blood pressure. Similarly, inorganic nitrate supplementation given in water, as a tablet or as fruit juice (beetroot) was associated with a decrease in blood pressure. However, the effects of the two interventions have never been compared and most importantly no data is available on the effects of upper arm exercise training and beetroot juice on blood pressure in older overweight and obese subjects.
The aim of the study is thus to find out about the effects of handgrip training and beetroot juice on blood pressure and arterial health in overweight and obese older subjects.
Who can participate?
Overweight men or women between the ages of 55 and 70 years.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups:
A low nitrate diet plus beetroot juice consumption for 7 days
A low nitrate diet plus handgrip training for 7 days
A low nitrate diet for 7 days
Each participant will be given specific dietary instructions to control the content of nitrate in their diet. Measurements of blood pressure and arterial health will be performed at the start and at the end of the study.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
All the laboratory procedures involved in this study are simple to perform and involve minimal risks to participants. Blood sampling, for example, is a routine procedure. Although there might be a risk for a small bruise, this will be minimised by the fact that the staff undertaking these are widely experienced.
The amount of nitrate intake (provided as beetroot juice) to be used in this study is commonly observed in subjects with a high intake of fruit and vegetables (particularly leafy vegetables) and it is significantly lower than the nitrate intake that may be observed in vegetarian subjects. There is no established health risk associated with either this level of nitrate intake or with beetroot juice supplementation. The consumption of beetroot juice can be associated in a small number of subjects (<15% of the population) with a red or pink urine or faeces colour. This is related to a particular pigment present in beetroot (betalain). Participants will be explained that this has no effect on their health. At the screening visit participants will be asked whether they have an dislike for beetroot or beetroot juice and they will be excluded if they report a problem with the consumption of these products.
The exercise involves minimal effort and is customised to individual needs. However, we will exclude subjects with established cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, angina or myocardial infarction.
In this study we will screen participants for hypertension and obesity and therefore participants and, with their consent, their GPs will be informed of these screening results. Although there is no anticipated direct benefit to participants of this study, some participants might have an interest in learning about their health and nutritional status; others see a benefit in volunteering to research studies and thus contributing to scientific advances.
Where is the study run from?
The study is run at the Clinical Ageing Research Unit, Newcastle University (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in June 2012. Recruitment will continue until 36 subjects are enrolled.
Who is funding the study?
Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University (UK).
Who is the main contact?
Dr Jose Lara
jose.lara@ncl.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Research Associate
Human Nutrition Research Centre
Institute for Ageing and Health
Newcastle University
Biomedical Research Building
Campus for Ageing and Vitality
Newcastle on Tyne
NE4 5PL
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)191 2081141 |
|---|---|
| jose.lara@newcastle.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-center non-blinded randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Effects of isometric exercise and inorganic nitrate consumption on cardiovascular function in overweight and obese subjects |
| Study objectives | We hypothesise that isometric exercise and nitrate supplementation reduce blood pressure (BP) in older healthy people. The mechanisms underlying the BP drop could be linked to a greater insulin sensitivity and vascular compliance and to an increase in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in the exercise and nitrate groups, respectively. |
| Ethics approval(s) | The National Research Ethics Committe services (NRES) Committee North East - Northern & Yorkshire, 23/04/2012, Ref:12/NE/0134 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Effect of beetroot juice and handgrip training on blood pressure in older adults who are overweight or obese |
| Intervention | Random allocation (beetroot juice, handgrip strength or control). 1. A low nitrate diet plus beetroot juice consumption for 7 days 2. A low nitrate diet plus handgrip training for 7 days 3. A low nitrate diet for 7 days (control) Participants are encouraged to consume food in the habitual amount; however, they are recommended to avoid high nitrate foods for which they receive advice on what to avoid. The energy content of the beetroot juice is 173 kcal. The interventions lasts for 7 days. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. 24-hour blood pressure |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. To compare the effects of handgrip training and beetroot juice on muscle strength |
| Completion date | 02/02/2014 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Senior |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 36 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Healthy (with no established diagnosis) 2. Non-smoking men and women aged 55-70 years with a body mass index (BMI) in the range of 25-40 kg/m2. |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Current participation in other clinical investigations. 2. Physical disabilities, trauma or surgery which limit mobility and impede physical performance (i.e. not able to comply with the isometric exercise intervention). 3. Vegetarianism (likely to have very high nitrate intake). 4. Aversion to beetroot consumption or inability to comply with the study diet (lack of compliance). 5. High physical activity level (may have BMI in obese range but low fat mass). 6. Weight change more than 3.0 kg in the last 2 months (important influence on systemic metabolism and vascular function). 7. Active cancer and any diagnosis of malignant cancer in the last 5 years (systemic effects on study outcomes). 8. Chronic and acute metabolic and inflammatory conditions interfering with the study outcome (systemic effects on study outcomes). For example, severe hypertension (>180 mmHg/>110), kidney stones, gallstones, skin rashes or rheumatoid arthritis. 9. Previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes treated with insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents (modification of regulation of intermediate metabolism). 10. Weight loss medications (sibutramine, orlistat, rimonabant) and history of bariatric surgery (weight loss related changes in systemic metabolism). 11. Drugs: corticosteroids, sildenafil, diuretics, laxatives, anticoagulants, antacids, nitrate-derived agents, anti-cholinergic, anti-hypertensive (beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor inhibitors) (all drugs have either an effect on NO production or insulin sensitivity via different mechanisms). 12. Subjects on hormonal therapies (oestrogens, thyroxine, progesteron), statins and any other anti-dyslipidaemic agent and psychiatric drugs (antidepressants, sedatives, antipsychotics) will be excluded if dose has been started/changed in the previous six months (make sure that these disorders are under strict control to avoid interference with the study outcomes) 13. Haematological disorders including severe anaemia (Hb < 10mg/dL) (risk for the participant and effects on the study outcomes) 14. Major surgical operations interfering with the study outcomes (systemic effects on study outcomes) 15. Alcohol intake >21 units/week for men and >14 units/week for women 16. Non English speakers or volunteers requiring translators or interpreters (since these services are not available for this study) |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/06/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 02/02/2014 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
NE4 5PL
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/10/2015 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
13/03/2020: Internal review.
28/10/2016: Publication reference added
