Effect of Preexercise Glycemic-Index Meal on Running When CHO-Electrolyte Solution Is Consumed during Exercise
in International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise MetabolismClick name to view affiliation
Purpose:
This study examined the effect of consuming carbohydrate- (CHO) electrolyte solution on running performance after different-glycemic-index (GI) meals.
Methods:
Nine men completed 3 trials in a randomized counterbalanced order, with trials separated by at least 7 days. Two hours before the run after an overnight fast, each participant consumed a high-GI (GI = 83) or low-GI (GI = 36) CHO meal or low-energy sugar-free Jell-O (GI = 0, control). The 2 isocaloric GI meals provided 1.5 g available CHO/kg body mass. During each trial, 2 ml/kg body mass of a 6.6% CHO-electrolyte solution was provided immediately before exercise and every 2.5 km after the start of running. Each trial consisted of a 21-km performance run on a level treadmill. The participants were required to run at 70% VO2max during the first 5 km of the run. They then completed the remaining 16 km as fast as possible.
Results:
There was no difference in the time to complete the 21-km run (high-GI vs. low-GI vs. control: 91.1 ± 2.0 vs. 91.8 ± 2.2 vs. 92.9 ± 2.0 min, n.s.). There were no differences in total CHO and fat oxidation throughout the trials, despite differences in preexercise blood glucose, serum insulin, and serum free-fatty-acid concentrations.
Conclusion:
When a CHO-electrolyte solution is consumed during a 21-km run, the GI of the preexercise CHO meal makes no difference in running performance.
Wong, Chan, and Chen are with the Dept. of Sports Science and Physical Education, and Lam, the Dept. of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Hu is with GlaxoSmithkline Nutritional Healthcare, Gloucestershire, UK. Chung is with the Dept. of Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
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