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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Jan 5;9(1):39.
doi: 10.3390/nu9010039.

Ecologically Valid Carbohydrate Intake during Soccer-Specific Exercise Does Not Affect Running Performance in a Fed State

Mark P Funnell  1 , Nick R Dykes  2 , Elliot J Owen  3 , Stephen A Mears  4 , Ian Rollo  5 , Lewis J James  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Ecologically Valid Carbohydrate Intake during Soccer-Specific Exercise Does Not Affect Running Performance in a Fed State

Mark P Funnell et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of carbohydrate intake on self-selected soccer-specific running performance. Sixteen male soccer players (age 23 ± 4 years; body mass 76.9 ± 7.2 kg; predicted VO2max = 54.2 ± 2.9 mL∙kg-1∙min-1; soccer experience 13 ± 4 years) completed a progressive multistage fitness test, familiarisation trial and two experimental trials, involving a modified version of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) to simulate a soccer match in a fed state. Subjects completed six 15 min blocks (two halves of 45 min) of intermittent shuttle running, with a 15-min half-time. Blocks 3 and 6, allowed self-selection of running speeds and sprint times, were assessed throughout. Subjects consumed 250 mL of either a 12% carbohydrate solution (CHO) or a non-caloric taste matched placebo (PLA) before and at half-time of the LIST. Sprint times were not different between trials (CHO 2.71 ± 0.15 s, PLA 2.70 ± 0.14 s; p = 0.202). Total distance covered in self-selected blocks (block 3: CHO 2.07 ± 0.06 km; PLA 2.09 ± 0.08 km; block 6: CHO 2.04 ± 0.09 km; PLA 2.06 ± 0.08 km; p = 0.122) was not different between trials. There was no difference between trials for distance covered (p ≥ 0.297) or mean speed (p ≥ 0.172) for jogging or cruising. Blood glucose concentration was greater (p < 0.001) at the end of half-time during the CHO trial. In conclusion, consumption of 250 mL of 12% CHO solution before and at half-time of a simulated soccer match does not affect self-selected running or sprint performance in a fed state.

Keywords: LIST; ecological validity; endurance; sports drink; sprinting.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ian Rollo is an employee of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, a division of PepsiCo Inc. The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of PepsiCo Inc.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic of the study design.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean sprint times for the six blocks of the LIST during CHO (■) and PLA (□) trials. LIST: Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test; CHO: carbohydrate trial; PLA: placebo trial.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Subjective feelings questionnaires for (A) arousal (1 = low arousal; 6 = high arousal) and (B) thirst sensation (1 = not at all; 10 = very, very much) during CHO (●) and PLA (○) trials. Data are mean ± SE. CHO: carbohydrate trial; PLA placebo trial.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Subjective feelings questionnaires for (A) GI discomfort; (B) bloated feeling and (C) stomach fullness (A, B, C: 1 = not at all; 10 = very, very much) during CHO (●) and PLA (○) trials. Data are mean ± SE. GI discomfort: gastrointestinal discomfort; CHO: carbohydrate trial; PLA placebo trial.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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