HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF BEETROOT JUICE AT MAXIMUM PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effects of beetroot juice treatment on hepatic oxidative stress at maximum physical activity. This type of research is an experimental study with a randomized control group pretest-posttest design research. The study was conducted at the Universitas Negeri Medan Stadium and Universitas Sumatera Utara Faculty of Medicine Laboratory. The sample was 30 students of Sports Science who met the criteria. The Pretest is done by checking the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde. Furthermore the sample was divided into 2 groups (P1 = 15, P2 = 15). During the 30-day training program, the P1 group was given 250 ml beetroot juice once a day, whereas P2 was given as a control. Then all samples performed a maximal physical activity using a bleep test, and again examined levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde. The results showed beetroot juice could reduce levels of malondialdehyde, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase at maximum physical activity.