The Effects of Six Weeks Ingestion of Watermelon Juice on Nitric Oxide in Elite Female Taekwondo

Improving physical performance and delaying fatigue by using nutritional supplements always has been interesting in athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of six weeks’ watermelon juice on nitric oxide and exercise performance in elite female taekwondo.

Twenty-five elite female taekwondo players (age 21.84±2.26 yrs; BMI 20.87±1.37 Kg/m2; VO2max 38.86±1.97 ml/min/kg) who had a training experience of more than five years were randomly and voluntary divided into two groups of watermelon juice supplement (n=15) and placebo (n=10). Subjects received 500 ml of watermelon juice or placebo 45 minutes before the taekwondo training sessions for six weeks. Blood samples were taken in the brachial vein in two steps; before and after 6 weeks of supplementation. Data were analyzed using dependent and independent t-test (p≤0.05).

The results of this study showed levels of nitric oxide (P=0.016) and VO2max (P=0/001) significantly greater compared to the placebo group. Also, there was a significant decrease in muscle soreness 24 and 48 hours after exercise in the supplement group compared to the placebo group (p≤0.05).

According to the results, watermelon juice will help faster recovery and reduce muscle soreness after 24 and 48 hours follow exercise.