Can beetroot juice and caffeine unlock better athletic performance?

This trial investigates whether beetroot juice (rich in dietary nitrate) and caffeine, taken alone or together, can improve exercise performance in two groups of athletes: adult functional fitness competitors and elite junior swimmers. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, participants will perform discipline-specific tests—a Hyrox fitness test for the adults and an 8x100m swim test for the juniors—while researchers measure performance times, blood lactate, perceived exertion, and other physiological responses. The goal is to see if these common supplements offer a legal, natural edge in athletic performance.