The Effect of Ingesting Alginate-Encapsulated Carbohydrates and Branched-Chain Amino Acids During Exercise on Performance, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Dental Health in Athletes

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the effects of a carbohydrate (CHO) hydrogel with (ALG-CP) or without (ALG-C) branched-chain amino acids, and a CHO-only non-hydrogel (CON), on cycling performance. The hydrogels, encapsulated in an alginate matrix, are designed to control CHO release, potentially optimising absorption, increasing substrate utilisation, and reducing gastrointestinal distress as well as carious lesions.

Methods: In a randomised, double-blinded, crossover trial, 10 trained male cyclists/triathletes completed three experimental days separated by ~6 days. During the experimental days, participants completed a standardised 2 h cycling bout (EX1), followed by a time-to-exhaustion (TTE) performance test at W_75%. Supplements were ingested during EX1.

Results: Participants cycled ~8.8 (29.6%) and ~5.4 (29.1%) minutes longer during TTE with ALG-CP compared to ALG-C and CON, respectively. TTE was 65.28 ± 2.8 min with ALG-CP, 56.46 ± 10.92 min with ALG-C, and 59.89 ± 11.89 min with CON. Heart rate (HR) was lower during EX1 with ALG-CP (p = 0.03), and insulin levels increased more significantly during the first 45 min with ALG-CP. Plasma glucose and glucagon levels remained consistent across supplements, although glucagon was higher with ALG-CP before TTE. Post-exercise myoglobin levels were lower with ALG-CP compared to ALG-C (p = 0.02), indicating reduced muscle damage.

Conclusions: While ALG-CP improved performance duration compared to ALG-C and CON, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, there was a lower HR during the cycling session, alongside a significantly lower level of myoglobin with ALG-CP. These findings suggest that ALG-CP may offer advantages in cycling performance and recovery.

Keywords: BCAA; TTE; alginate; athletic performance; carbohydrates; dental health; gastrointestinal comfort; hydrogels; recovery.

Figure 1

Overview of experimental clinical trial.

Figure 2

Presenting (A) time-to-exhaustion performance test in minutes, and (B) Heart rate (HR, beat per min.) throughout the exercise session. Data are mean ± SEM. N = 10 participants. Int: Interval; sp: sprint; TTE: time-to-exhaustion. *: significant differences between ALG-CP vs. ALG-C. #: significant differences between ALG-C vs. CON. O: significant differences between ALG-CP vs. CON.

Figure 3

Plasma glucose during the clinical trial (A). Comparing ALG-CP, ALG-C, and CON. AUC during exercise is provided from t = −15 min to pre-TTE (B). During recovery AUC is given from t = post-TTE to 120 min. Data are mean ± SEM. * p ≤ 0.05.

Figure 4

Plasma insulin during the clinical trial (A). Comparing ALG-CP, ALG-C, and CON. AUC during exercise is provided from t = −15 min to pre-TTE (B). During recovery, AUC is given from t = post-TTE to 120 min. Data are mean ± SEM. (¤). * p ≤ 0.05.

Figure 5

Plasma glucagon during the clinical trial (A). Comparing ALG-CP, ALG-C, and CON. AUC during exercise is provided from t = −15 min to pre-TTE (B). Data are mean ± SEM. (¤).

Figure 6

Plasma FFA during the clinical trial (A). Comparing ALG-CP, ALG-C, and CON. AUC during exercise is provided from t = −15 min to pre-TTE (B). During recovery, AUC is given from t = post-TTE to 120 min. Data are mean ± SEM. (¤).

Figure 7

Time-dependent concentrations of (A) LDH, (B) CK (¤), (C) Myoglobin (¤), and (D) P-Carbamide during the clinical trials. Data are mean ± SEM.

Figure 8

Levels of (A) U-Carbamide and (B) U-Creatinine (¤) at baseline and post-TTE. Data are mean ± SEM.

Figure 9

pH values of saliva during the clinical trial. Data are mean ± SEM.

Figure 10

Radar chart of perceived gastrointestinal symptoms. Data are mean ± SEM.