Testing beet-root juice and red light therapy for muscle endurance in older adults

Application of Beet-root Juice Supplementation and Photobiomodulation Treatment on Forearm Muscle Fatigue in Older Adults

NA · Wake Forest University · NCT05596474

This study is testing whether beet-root juice and red light therapy can help older adults improve their muscle endurance.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment10 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorWake Forest University (other)
Locations1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Trial IDNCT05596474 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effects of beet-root juice supplementation and red light therapy on forearm muscle endurance in healthy adults aged 65 and older. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either beet-root juice or a placebo, as well as red light therapy or a sham light exposure. The study will measure muscle endurance using electromyography to determine if these interventions can enhance physical performance compared to control groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults over the age of 65 who engage in regular light to moderate physical activity.

Not a fit: Patients with known kidney, liver, or thyroid conditions, or those taking medications that may interfere with nitrate supplementation, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a novel approach to improving muscle endurance and overall physical health in older adults.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of beet-root juice and red light therapy is relatively novel, previous studies have shown positive effects of each intervention on muscle performance separately.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Self-reports performing at least 30 minutes of light to moderate intensity physical activity 3 times per week for the last three months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently smoke
* Have smoked within the last 6 months
* Are taking taking supplements known to increase blood nitrate levels
* Have a known kidney disease
* Have a known liver disease
* Have a known thyroid condition
* Have a known gastritis condition
* Are taking medications that are known to cause complications with nitrate supplementation
* Have known or reported joint pain within the dominant hand

Where this trial is running

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Health Care Utilization, Healthy Aging, Red light therapy, Forearm muscle endurance, Beet-root juice, Electromyography

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.