Carbohydrate drinks delay fatigue during intermittent, high-intensity cycling in active men and women

Int J Sport Nutr. 1997 Dec;7(4):261-73. doi: 10.1123/ijsn.7.4.261.

Abstract

The effects of ingesting carbohydrate drinks on fatigue during intermittent, high-intensity cycling in men and women were determined. Physically active but untrained women (n = 7) and men (n = 9) completed one practice trial and two experimental sessions separated by 1 week. Sessions consisted of repeated 1-min cycling bouts on a bicycle ergometer at 120-130% VO2max separated by 3 min rest until fatigue. Carbohydrate (CHO) or placebo (P) beverages (4 ml.kg body weight-1) were ingested immediately before exercise (18% CHO) and every 20 min during exercise (6% CHO). Plasma glucose and insulin were higher, RPE for the legs was lower, and time to fatigue was longer in CHO than P. Men's and women's responses were not different for any variable measured. These data suggest a beneficial role of CHO drinks on performance of intermittent, high-intensity exercise in men and women.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Beverages*
  • Bicycling*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Epinephrine / blood
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Lactic Acid / blood
  • Male
  • Muscle Fatigue*
  • Norepinephrine / blood
  • Physical Endurance*
  • Placebos
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Insulin
  • Placebos
  • Lactic Acid
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine