Efeitos da suplementação de nitrato sobre o desempenho em testes de ciclismo, corrida e natação: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Nitrate supplementation (NO3-) is an ergogenic strategy to maximize physical performance. Its efficiency is linked to mitochondrial respiration, as well as the regulation of blood pressure, maintenance of vascular tone, among other benefits. The present study aimed to verify the findings in the literature on the effects of nitrate supplementation on the performance of cycling, running and swimming tests. Twenty-four articles were included according to the criteria established for the systematic review. Of these articles, only three studies showed a positive response on performance. Being two in test until exhaustion (one in bicycle and one in race) and a test time trial (in bicycle). The analyzed articles used different methodologies, doses of NO3-, instruments and parameters for performance quantification, which made it difficult to compare them. There is no minimum recommendation for NO3- supplementation and no established standard for the tests used has been observed. Thus, further studies are suggested to address these gaps, but it is possible to conclude that NO3- supplementation does not appear to have a significant positive effect on cycling, running and swimming performance.